Antibiotics and advice extended to thousands after deadly meningitis outbreak

Nightclub-goers are being urged to come forward for preventative antibiotics in response to the deadly meningitis outbreak in Kent, amid calls for wider vaccine rollout.

A UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) official told the BBC that that Meningitis B (MenB) had been identified as the strain behind the 13 cases reported between 13 and 15 March 2026 in the Canterbury area.

The watchdog also said that two people had died, with the University of Kent confirming that one of them was a student there.

The outbreak has sparked calls to widen vaccine coverage to protect more teenagers and young people from the disease.

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Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA), said: 'The strain has now been confirmed to be Meningitis B which means that those born before 2015, teenagers and young adults, have not been vaccinated against it.

'Pharmacies, especially in Kent, are seeing a surge in demand for private Meningitis B vaccinations. But supplies are running low with some pharmacies already out of stock.

'The IPA is calling on the NHS to urgently commission pharmacies to deliver a nationwide catch-up vaccination programme targeted at university students and teenagers born before 2015. There is not a moment to be lost in protecting young people across the country.'

The UKHSA has confirmed that some of cases visited the student nightclub Club Chemistry in Canterbury prior to becoming unwell.

It is issuing advice to 16,000 staff and students at the University of Kent and urging anyone who visited Club Chemistry between 5 March and 7 March to come forward for preventative antibiotic treatment.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director of immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, told the BBC that meningitis B (MenB) had been identified as the strain behind the cases.

UKHSA regional deputy director for the south east Trish Mannes said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the friends and family involved and we understand that many people in the university and wider community will be affected by this sad news.

‘Our investigations have identified that some cases visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury and it is important that anyone who visited the club between 5 and 7 March now comes forward for preventative antibiotic treatment as a precaution, as well as those offered antibiotics at the university – these students are being contacted directly through the university.’

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The UKHSA said that preventative antibiotics can be collected from:

• Senate Building at University of Kent, CT2 7NZ – open until 8pm on Monday 16 March (queue closes 7.15pm) and from 9am to 8pm on Tuesday 17 March.
• Gate Clinic, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, CT1 3NG - open until 8pm on Monday 16 March and planned to open from 8.30am to 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 March.
• Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BT. Planned to be open from 8.30am to 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 March.
• Carey Building, Thanet Hub, Margate Northwood Rd, Westwood, Broadstairs, CT10 2WA. Planned to be open from 8.30am to 7.30 pm on Tuesday 17 March.

Club Chemistry said in a statement that extra antibiotic clinics had been established for ‘all students and staff living on campus at the University of Kent’ as well as close contacts of cases and people who visited the club between 5 and 7 March.

The statement, published on the nightclub’s Instagram and Facebook, also announced that it would be closed for the rest of the week for the ‘safety and wellbeing’ of its community.

Meningitis is an infection of the meninges that can cause life-threatening sepsis and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves. The onset of illness is often sudden and early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are vital, the UKHSA said.

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Early symptoms, which may not always be present, include:

• A rash that doesn’t fade when pressed with a glass;
• sudden onset of high fever;
• severe and worsening headache;
• stiff neck;
• vomiting and diarrhoea;
• joint and muscle pain;
• dislike of bright lights;
• very cold hands and feet;
• seizures;
• confusion/delirium;
• extreme sleepiness/difficulty waking.

The MenACWY vaccination – routinely offered to teenagers in Years 9 and 10 – gives good protection against MenA, MenC, MenW, and MenY, the UKHSA said. However, it does not protect against all forms of meningitis such as MenB.

The charity Meningitis Now also recently called for the introduction of an adolescent MenB booster programme and ‘fair’ pricing for private MenB vaccinations on the high street.