More than 10,000 doses of antibiotics handed out to tackle Kent meningitis outbreak

More than 10,000 doses of precautionary antibiotics have been given out as part of measures to tackle the outbreak of meningitis in Kent, health leaders have said.

NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care System (ICS) confirmed today that 10,561 doses of antibiotics and 4,514 MenB jabs had been given out as part of the targeted vaccination programme so far.

It comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the number of confirmed and suspected cases had risen to 29, with two people having died.

The UKHSA said that an initial genetic analysis of a meningococcal strain isolated during this outbreak had confirmed that the Bexsero vaccine currently being offered in Kent should provide protection against the strain identified.

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The strain belongs to a group of bacteria known as group B meningococci, sequence type 485 belonging to the larger clonal complex ST-41/44, it added.

Meera Chand, UKHSA strategic response director, said: ‘The latest laboratory analysis by UKHSA confirms that the vaccine being offered to students and other eligible groups should cover this circulating strain of MenB, with further analysis ongoing to understand more about the strain.

‘It’s vital that people are aware of the signs and symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease and seek immediate medical attention if they or anyone they know develops symptoms.

‘The risk to the wider population remains low and UKHSA continues to work with partners to identify contacts and offer necessary treatment.’

The vaccine rollout was expanded yesterday to include more university and sixth form students, while 20,000 vaccines from the NHS supply were made available to ease the demand experienced by pharmacies. It follows reports of pharmacies being flooded with ‘panicked’ students asking for vaccines, antibiotics, PPE and hand sanitiser.

The vaccine is being made available to:

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• Everyone who has been offered preventative antibiotic treatment as part of the outbreak;
• Sixth form student in schools and colleges in Kent where confirmed or probable cases have been identified.

The MenB vaccine has been available on the NHS since 2015 as part of routine childhood immunisations, but this means people aged over 10 years will not have been given the jab unless they received it privately.

Meanwhile, Asda Pharmacy announced today that it would be offering the MenB vaccine at cost price in all of its pharmacies until 30 April. Patients will be able to access the vaccine for £75 per dose (£150 for a dual dose) and Asda will be prioritising vulnerable groups with a particular emphasis on 18-25 year olds.

The director of public health at Kent Count Council, Dr Anjan Ghosh, told the PA news agency that there may be ‘some sporadic household cases outside of Kent’ as people who are incubating the disease leave Kent.

He added that it was too early to know whether the peak of the outbreak had passed, and they could see more cases through to next week.

A group of 40 MPs have written to the health secretary calling for the government to introduce a catch-up vaccination programme for students against MenB, a call echoed by pharmacy sector leaders.

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Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia can include:

• a rash that does not 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 (fits);
• confusion or delirium;
• extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking.