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Meningitis Outbreak Sparks Urgent Vaccination Calls
17 Mar
Summary
- Two deaths in Kent linked to meningitis B outbreak.
- Vaccination coverage rates vary significantly across England.
- Shortages of meningitis B vaccine reported in Kent pharmacies.
A recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent has tragically claimed the lives of an 18-year-old and a 21-year-old, with 11 others hospitalized. This event has intensified concerns regarding vaccination coverage for preventable diseases across England. Government data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the 2024/25 academic year indicates that vaccination rates for both the MenB vaccine (for infants) and the MenACWY vaccine (for teenagers) remain below their 2019/20 peaks.
Further analysis by The Independent highlights considerable regional variations in vaccine uptake. For instance, MenACWY coverage among Year 10 students ranged from a low of 65% in London to a high of 83% in the East of England. Similarly, MenB vaccination rates by 12 months of age varied from 63% in Hackney to 97% in North Tyneside and the East Riding of Yorkshire during July to September last year.
In response to the outbreak, some pharmacies in Kent have reported shortages of the MenB vaccine due to heightened demand. Health officials emphasize the importance of ensuring children are up-to-date with available vaccinations and being alert to the symptoms of meningococcal disease. Calls are being made for a national catch-up vaccination campaign for young people, particularly for those born before 2015 who did not receive the MenB vaccine on the NHS.
