18/03/2026
Dear Patients,
As you will know there has been a recent unprecedented increase in meningitis cases in and around Kent.
🚨Meningitis is a very serious infection that can develop quickly and requires urgent attention.
💉 Vaccination is the BEST protection
We strongly encourage all parents and carers to ensure their children are fully up to date with their routine vaccinations, including those offered through the childhood and school immunisation programmes. These vaccines protect against several types of meningitis and can save lives.
Symptoms of meningitis can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all. In the early stages, there may not be a rash, or the rash may fade when pressure is applied.
You should get medical help immediately if you're concerned about yourself or your child.
Trust your instincts and do not wait for all the symptoms to appear or until a rash develops.
Symptoms of meningitis and sepsis include:
*a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass ( may not be easy to see on brown/ black skin check soles of feet)
*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 or delirium
*extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking
👶🏻 Babies may also:
*refuse feeds
*be irritable
*have a high-pitched cry
*have a stiff body or be floppy or unresponsive
*have a bulging soft spot on the top of their head
‼️Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis
For up to date information on this evolving situation please follow this link:
https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/18/meningitis-b-outbreak-what-you-need-to-know/
Stay safe and well 💙
There is currently an outbreak of meningococcal disease (MenB) in Kent. This blog post includes information on MenB and this outbreak, what to do if you are affected and where you can get antibiotics and who is being offered a vaccine.
