20/03/2026
MenB Vaccine Update & Advice linked to University of Kent and the area of Canterbury - we are currently receiving a high number of calls requesting Men B vaccination/advice. Please read update below before contacting the surgery:
Background
The Meningitis B vaccine has been given to children under two years of age since September 2015. UK vaccine experts advise that the MenB vaccine isn’t routinely offered to teenagers, and there is no national catch‑up programme planned. It is only offered on the NHS to people without a working spleen or those with rare complement disorders.
You should take action if any of the following apply:
✅ You visited Club Chemistry, Canterbury on 5, 6 or 7 March
✅ You had close contact with someone with confirmed or suspected meningococcal disease
✅ Students who did not access vaccination at local vaccination clinics at the University of Kent, for example, because they have returned home from campus.
If you meet these criteria please contact your GP practice — UKHSA recommends GPs provide vaccination / preventative antibiotics to eligible people who have returned home.
Know the symptoms – seek urgent help if you develop:
Sudden fever
Severe headache
Stiff neck
Rash that doesn’t fade under pressure
Vomiting or diarrhoea
Sensitivity to light
Cold hands/feet or limb pain
Confusion or drowsiness
It is important to keep routine vaccinations up to date, including the MenACWY vaccine where applicable. The full UK routine schedule is available here: Complete routine immunisation schedule from 1 January 2026 - GOV.UK
More information
🔹 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/18/meningitis-b-outbreak-what-you-need-to-know/
🔹NHS:
Read about meningitis, an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Find out about the symptoms, vaccines and treatments.
