Childhood Vaccinations

Meningitis (MenB) outbreak in Kent

Kent is currently experiencing a significant outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease, primarily affecting young people linked to the University of Kent and local schools. UKHSA has identified at least 15–20 cases between 13–17 March, with two deaths. The illness has been severe and fastmoving, prompting rapid public health action including contact tracing, targeted antibiotic prophylaxis and vaccination for high risk groups.

Public Health Suffolk and local NHS partners are closely monitoring the current situation and receiving regular updates.

As Students break up for Easter and travel home it’s important that the public are aware of signs and symptoms. Click on the blue drop down tabs below to learn more about meningitis and what you may need to do during this outbreak.

Meningitis is a serious condition where the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. It has been confirmed that a number of the cases in the Canterbury area of Kent have been caused by MenB which is the most common cause of meningococcal meningitis in the UK.

Meningitis has many causes, such as different germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In the UK, most cases are due to bacteria or viruses. Some of the bacteria that cause meningitis can also lead to septicaemia (blood poisoning), and both conditions can result in sepsis, which is life-threatening.

Although anyone can get meningitis, it’s most common in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults. It needs to be treated quickly so it is important to know the signs and symptoms which can happen in any order and may not all be present.

Early symptoms such as vomiting, fever, aches, muscle pain, cold hands and feet and headaches can look similar to common illnesses like colds or flu. But someone with meningitis or septicaemia will usually become seriously ill in a matter of hours. That’s why it’s crucial to keep checking on anyone who is unwell.

Early symptoms (often mistaken for flu) can appear hours to a day before severe illness:

Fever
Severe headache
Vomiting
Muscle and limb pain
Cold hands and feet
Pale or mottled skin
Fatigue / drowsiness
Irritability (especially in children)

Progressive or later symptoms

Neck stiffness
Sensitivity to light
Confusion or altered consciousness
Seizures
Non‑blanching rash (may be absent early or altogether)
Rapid breathing
Collapse

Symptoms in infants

Poor feeding
High‑pitched cry
Bulging fontanelle (the soft spots of a babies skull)
Floppiness or extreme irritability

MenB as well as some other strains of meningitis spread through close, prolonged contact with someone who already has it, not through casual contact.

It is transmitted via:

Respiratory droplets and secretions (saliva)
It is commonly passed through:

Kissing someone with the disease
Living in the same household as someone who has the disease
Intimate contact with someone who has the disease
Sharing drinks, cutlery, cigarettes, vapes with someone that has the disease
Very close contact within someone that has the disease for example in halls of residence, military settings, shared accommodation etc.

It is not easily transmissible in everyday settings like:

Classrooms
Offices
Public transport
Shops

The key and important fact to note is that it is quite difficult to come into contact and catch the disease, but if a person has been in very close contact with someone that has the disease it can be very severe which is why it is important to practice good personal hygiene such has regular hand washing and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

If you have been in contact with someone that has the disease and you have caught it from them following close contact, it takes 2-14 days for you to experience symptoms. Typically, only 2-4 days for most people.

In the UK, the MenB vaccine is Bexsero®. The MenB vaccine was added to the NHS immunisation schedule for infants in 2015, providing protection for babies and young children in the UK. It is offered as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme at:

8 weeks old
16 weeks old
Plus, a booster vaccination at 12 months old.

It may also be offered:

During outbreaks
To groups of people who may be at greater risk (e.g. those living with asplenia)

If you are a teenager or young adult born before 1 May 2015, you will not have received the MenB vaccine as part of the NHS schedule. Young children who have missed one or more dose of the MenB vaccine can have this free of charge before their second birthday, however MenB is not routinely offered to older children and adults, but it is available privately.

The vaccine is excellent at protecting individuals from the disease but much less effective at stopping spread in the population. This is why Infant vaccination protects the child but does not eliminate MenB from spreading, and why Public health still relies on rapid case management and the immediate, precautionary use of antibiotics or vaccines for people exposed to the disease.

Several vaccines offered free of charge by the NHS can also help protect against certain causes of meningitis and septicaemia:

The 6-in-1 vaccine given to babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks
The Pneumococcal vaccine: Two doses for babies given at 16 weeks and 1 year; single dose for adults aged 65+
The Hib/MenC vaccine: For babies given at 1 year (if born on or before 30 June 2024)
MMR vaccine: For babies given at 1 year, with a second dose at 18 months

If you have a child you can check their red book to see whether they have had all of the vaccines listed above.

The MenACWY vaccine

The MenACWY vaccine is given to teenagers and helps protect against 4 types of bacteria linked to life-threatening illnesses like meningitis and sepsis. It's offered to teenagers in school, but can be given up to the age of 25 if it's been missed.

Teenagers are usually given the MenACWY vaccine at school when they're 13 or 14 years old (school year 9).

If you're under 25 and you've not had the MenACWY vaccine before, you should ideally have it at least 2 weeks before starting college or university. Ask a GP about getting vaccinated.

If you've already started college or university, get the vaccine as soon as possible. Ask at the health centre on campus or register with a GP to get it.

Although the vaccines listed above do not necessarily protect against the outbreak in Kent, it will offer protection against other strains and diseases and could prevent additional complications if you were to catch the MenB.

For further information and guidance on the current MenB outbreak in Kent please visit the following sites:

UK Health Security Agency: Meningitis Blog - ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/31/what-is-meningitis-symptoms-risks-and-how-to-protect-yourself/
UK Health Security Agency: Meningitis B outbreak - ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/18/meningitis-b-outbreak-what-you-need-to-know/
Protecting your baby against meningitis and septicaemia - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f58c7ed915d74e6229e84/9183_MenB-DL_3_Min_guide_17_web.pdf
Hib/MenC vaccine - www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hib-menc-vaccine/
MenACWY vaccine - www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/menacwy-vaccine/
Meningitis overview from the NHS - www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/
Information from the Meningitis Research Foundation - www.meningitis.org/
Information from Meningitis Now - www.meningitisnow.org/
MenACWY vaccine: information for young people - www.gov.uk/government/publications/menacwy-vaccine-information-for-young-people

Toolkits for partners:

Meningitis: signs and symptoms leaflet and poster - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/meningitis-signs-and-symptoms-poster
Meningitis and septicaemia: information for students - www.gov.uk/government/publications/meningitis-and-septicaemia-information-for-students
Meningitis and septicaemia: poster for new university entrants - www.gov.uk/government/publications/meningitis-and-septicaemia-poster-for-new-university-entrants
Meningitis Communications Toolkit - https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1YChDUtvOoxUa7FTK1VUA30ysKD1lYO-e
Department for Education: Letter for schools - https://news.service.education.gov.uk/ph75/send/b8z-c4771

The MMR Vaccine

The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine, which protects against three serious illnesses:

Measles
Mumps
Rubella (german measles)

Getting vaccinated is important as these conditions can lead to serious health problems and can spread easily between unvaccinated people.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection.

Measles cases are increasing in England. The virus spreads easily, so it’s important your child is fully vaccinated.

What if my child's vaccines are not up to date?

Step 1: Check whether your child has had all of the vaccines they should have had.

You can look in the ‘immunisation’ section in your child’s red book (Personal Child Health Record) to see if they have received their MMR vaccination.

If you’re still unsure, check their records with their GP or email
the vaccination clinic hct.csaissnee@nhs.net

Step 2: If your child is missing any vaccination, book an appointment to get them up to date.

This can be done at a vaccination clinic or the GP If you would like to book a place on a clinic, please call 0300 555 5055 option 3 to book appointments for any outstanding vaccinations.

Important - Please do not attend a clinic without booking in advance.

Example: My Child Personal Health Record (Little Red Book)

The Community and School Age Immunisation Service (CSAIS) are running extra vaccination clinics throughout the Easter break. Details of where to find a clinic near you are listed below:

The vaccines which will be offered at these clinics will be any missed vaccines according to the UK schedule. Primarily this will be MenACWY/DTP (This is the teenage Booster vaccine offered in Year 9), HPV (which is offered to teenagers in Year 8) and the MMR vaccines offered to children.

If you are not sure whether your child or teens vaccines are up to date, records can be reviewed by the team and guidance will be provided on the day.

30th March

9am-12pm
Sudbury House, Dencora Business Centre, White House Rd, Ipswich IP1 5LU

9.30am - 3.30pm
Greenstead Community Centre, Hawthorn Ave, Colchester CO4 3QE

31st March

9.30am - 3.00pm
New Bury Centre, 1 Charles Place, Bury St Edmunds IP32 6TD

1st April

9.30am -2.30pm
Ravenswood Family Hub,103 Hening Ave, IP3 9QL

2nd April

9.30am -2.30pm
Phoenix Family Hub, Tudor Rd, Sudbury CO10 1NP

7th April

9.30am - 3.00pm
New Bury Centre, 1 Charles Place, Bury St Edmunds IP32 6TD

10.00am -2:00pm
Kirkley Children's Centre, Lowestoft

8th April

10:00am -2.00pm
Castle Manor Haverhill, Eastern Ave, Haverhill CB9 9JE

9.30am -3.30pm
Greenstead Community Centre, Hawthorn Ave, Colchester CO4 3QE

9th April

9.30am -2:30pm
Thomas Mills Framlingham, Saxtead Rd, Framlingham, Woodbridge IP13 9HE

10th April

9:00am -3:00pm
Sudbury House, Dencora Business Centre, White House Rd, Ipswich IP1 5LU

9:00am -3:30pm
Berechurch Family Hub. Colchester CO2 8NN.

For further information or to make a booking email the team on hct.csaissnee@nhs.net or call 0300 555 5055

For further information and support you can visit the following websites:

Suffolk and North East Essex Vaccination Services - sneevaccine.org.uk/

Norfolk & Waveney Vaccination Services - improvinglivesnw.org.uk/our-work/healthier-communities/infection-prevention-and-control/measles/

Childhood Vaccinations

Meningitis (MenB) outbreak in Kent

What is Meningitis?

Symptoms of meningitis

How can you get meningitis?

MenB vaccine and eligibility

Other vaccinations that could protect you during this time

Further information and partner toolkits for promotion

The MMR Vaccine

What if my child's vaccines are not up to date?

Step 1: Check whether your child has had all of the vaccines they should have had.

Step 2: If your child is missing any vaccination, book an appointment to get them up to date.

List of vaccination clinics:

Regular Weekly Clinics for any vaccination (including MMR):

Easter 2026 vaccine clinics