Home / Health / Kent Meningitis Outbreak: MenB Vaccine Not for Teens on NHS
Kent Meningitis Outbreak: MenB Vaccine Not for Teens on NHS
18 Mar
Summary
- Fatal meningitis B outbreak in Kent has claimed two lives.
- NHS meningitis B vaccine is only for babies under one year old.
- Private MenB vaccinations cost up to £220 for a full course.
A critical outbreak of meningitis B has tragically claimed two lives in Kent, with at least 11 other individuals severely ill in the Canterbury region. This strain of bacterial meningitis, known as MenB, is particularly dangerous and can be fatal in one in 10 cases if not promptly treated.
While babies under one year old receive the MenB vaccine on the NHS, this protection wanes into adolescence. Teenagers are instead offered the MenACWY vaccine, which, unlike the MenB vaccine, helps reduce transmission within the wider population.
Doctor Amir Khan explained that the MenB vaccine is not offered to older children or young adults due to cost-effectiveness and its limited impact on reducing community spread. Consequently, individuals aged over one year must seek private vaccination, with services available at pharmacies like Boots and Superdrug, costing up to £220 for a complete course.
Symptoms of meningitis can develop rapidly and include fever, headache, stiff neck, and a rash. Health officials urge immediate emergency medical attention if meningitis or sepsis is suspected, advising to trust instincts and not wait for all symptoms to appear.
