03/29/2026
Meningococcal B Outbreak Update in England — What Ontario Parents Need to Know
You may have seen recent news about a cluster of meningitis cases in England. Here’s a quick summary and what it means for your teen.
What’s happening?
There have been 29 confirmed cases of meningococcal B (MenB) meningitis reported in England, primarily among 17–18 year olds — the age group most typically affected by this strain. Encouragingly, no new cases have been reported since March 16th.
What about our vaccines here in Ontario?
The meningococcal vaccine given in Grade 7 through school (Menactra) protects against strains A, C, W, and Y — but not the B strain.
Bexsero (bexsero.ca) is the vaccine that covers MenB. It’s a 2-dose series, and we’ve been recommending it for teens aged 16–18 and infants as well. It’s not covered by OHIP, but is often covered through extended health/benefits plans.
If you have questions about MenB vaccination or would like to discuss whether Bexsero is appropriate for your child, please don’t hesitate to contact our office or raise it at your next scheduled appointment.
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