Meningitis B Information Posted or Updated on 23 Mar 2026

Meningococcal (MenB) vaccination – information for students

NHS England has asked GP practices to provide the MenB vaccine to a small number of students linked to the meningococcal outbreak in Canterbury, Kent, if they have returned home.

Whilst we understand this may be a worrying time, it is clear that is it going to be unlikely for many of our local residents to need vaccination under the current criteria that has been set for GP practices nationally.

ONLY if you have been advised that you are eligible and are currently living locally, please contact reception and inform them that your request relates to the MenB vaccination that is linked to the Canterbury outbreak.

If you have been advised that you are eligible, it is likely you will have been contacted by your university, school, or public health officials because you:

• live in specific halls of residence in Canterbury
• attended certain venues in Canterbury between 5–16 March, or
• have been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case

If you have not been contacted directly, you DO NOT need to contact the practice about vaccination.

Thank You.

Meningitis (Men B) – Important Patient Information
Current Situation

Cases of invasive meningococcal disease have been notified in Kent. See https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cases-of-invasive-meningococcal-disease-confirmed-in-kent

What this means for you

• There is NO recommendation for mass Men B vaccination at this time.
• Public health teams are focusing on:
  • Targeted vaccination for specific groups at risk
  • Antibiotics for close contacts of confirmed cases

Can I request the Men B vaccine?

• The Men B vaccine is NOT being offered on demand for reassurance
• This is because:
  • It protects only against specific strains
  • It takes time to become effective
  • It is not part of the current outbreak control plan

Who normally receives the Men B vaccine?

The NHS routinely offers the Men B vaccine to young children:

• At 8 weeks
• At 12 weeks
• At 1 year

This protects against serious illnesses such as:

• Meningitis
• Sepsis
• Septicaemia (blood poisoning)

Missed a vaccine?

If your child has missed a Men B vaccine:

• Please contact your GP surgery
• Vaccination can still be given up to age 2

Reassurance for patients

• Current guidance is based on expert advice from UK public health authorities
• GP practices are following national guidance to keep patients safe

When to seek urgent medical help

Call NHS 111 or seek urgent care if you or your child has:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light
• Rash that does not fade
• Drowsiness or confusion

Further information

For more advice visit the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/

Meningitis Symptoms

• Fever
• Neck pain
• Slerepiness
• Vomiting
• Joint pain
• Rash
• Headache
• Seizures
• Light sensitivity