Parents are being made aware of how they can check their children’s meningitis vaccination records following an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Kent.
As of 5pm on March 16, four laboratory cases have been confirmed, while 11 notifications are still being investigated, totalling 15, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.
An 18-year-old sixth form pupil and a 21-year-old university student have lost their lives to the illness. The UKHSA confirmed all cases required hospital admission.
The UKHSA described this as « a rapidly evolving situation and there may be further cases as those with symptoms are encouraged to seek medical advice ».
Anyone who attended Club Chemistry in Canterbury, Kent, on March 5, 6 or 7 is now being advised to collect precautionary antibiotics by the UKHSA.
MenB represents the most prevalent cause of meningococcal meningitis in the UK, however routine vaccinations were only introduced in 2015, meaning today’s generation of students and those in their late teens remain unprotected.
To verify a child’s vaccination status, parents can use the NHS app. Alternatively, you can check the « immunisations » section of their Red Book.
The MenB vaccine provides protection against meningococcal group B bacteria and is advised for babies aged eight weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at one year.
A separate MenACWY jab provides protection against four strains of bacteria that can trigger meningitis – meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y – and is available to teenagers aged 14 years old.
Anyone who missed receiving the MenACWY jab at school can obtain it free of charge before their 25th birthday.
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