NHS to offer second MenB vaccine after deadly Kent outbreak

Nearly 12,000 individuals who received meningitis B vaccines following a recent Kent outbreak are set to get a second dose starting next week. The disease claimed two lives, with 19 others confirmed to have contracted it. The initial vaccinations were given to those potentially exposed, including students and pupils from local schools.

The second dose is necessary for full immunity. Vaccination centers will launch in Canterbury, Faversham, and Ashford, with appointments accessible through an online booking system. Eligible groups include students residing in university halls and individuals who attended a nightclub linked to the outbreak. NHS Kent and Medway announced that multiple clinics and hubs will host the program, with booking details to be shared from Monday.

The vaccine targets most meningococcal group B strains in the UK. A second dose must be administered at least four weeks after the first, though delays are permitted. Health Secretary Wes Streeting called the outbreak “unprecedented,” highlighting its rapid spread among a large number of people.

“The outbreak is unprecedented due to the number of people who became infected in a short time frame,” said Wes Streeting.

A 21-year-old university student, whose name has not been disclosed, and sixth form pupil Juliette Kenny both died after contracting the infection. Many others required hospital care. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) declared a national incident to expedite the distribution of antibiotics.

Initially, the targeted vaccination effort focused on students in Kent university halls. It was later expanded to include attendees of Club Chemistry, where the outbreak began. Additional groups, such as sixth form students at schools with confirmed cases, were also added. Preventative antibiotics were provided to a broader population, with long lines forming at the University of Kent over several days.

The UK introduced a routine MenB vaccination program for babies and young children in 2015. At that time, UK health advisers determined a nationwide catch-up campaign for teenagers was not cost-effective. Teenagers instead received the MenACWY vaccine, which covers four bacteria types but excludes MenB. The recent outbreak prompted Streeting to seek reassessment from independent experts at the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).