18/03/2026
Meningitis B: Information for Parents and Patients
We are aware of recent news reports about cases of meningitis B in Kent. We understand this may be worrying for patients, parents and carers.
At present, there have been no reported cases linked to this outbreak in Greater Manchester.
We are currently receiving a high number of enquiries about the meningitis B (MenB) vaccine.
The MenB vaccine is available on the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme. Since 2015, it has been offered to babies at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, with a final booster at 1 year of age. We are only able to offer this vaccine to children up to age 2 years:
If your child is less than 2 years of age and you have previously declined or missed this vaccine, please contact us as soon as possible and we are happy to book your child in with a member of our team.
If you did not get your child vaccinated at the time and they are now over age 2 years, unfortunately we are unable to offer the vaccine at the practice currently. You would have to go to a private provider and pay to have the vaccine.
GP practices are not able to offer the MenB vaccine outside of this national programme. However if you have a problem with your spleen (Asplenia or Splenic Disfunction) you maybe of an increased risk and additional vaccines are advised.
Currently the NHS does not routinely offer the MenB vaccine to teenagers or is university students, however this is being looked at currently by Public Health nationally. If guidance changes we will update our website information and contact any eligible patients.
What should I do?
If your child is eligible under the NHS schedule, please ensure they are up to date with their routine vaccinations.
If your child is not eligible, vaccination is not currently available via your GP practice. We are not able to recommend private providers but several pharmacies and travel clinics are offering the vaccine for a private fee.
Meningitis ACWY Vaccination
There is also a different vaccine for Meningitis (Men ACWY) that protects against different strains of meningitis to the outbreak in Kent. This is routinely offered to students from Year 9 upwards in school. If your child missed this vaccine in school, please speak to your school about whether there are any catch up clinics. Your GP practice can offer catch up Men ACWY vaccination for anyone that missed the vaccine in school but only up to your 26th birthday. If you have left school and aged 25 years or below, if you think you missed your Men ACWY vaccine, please contact us and we can arrange to book you in with one of our nursing team. Please note we are currently experiencing a high demand for vaccination appointments but we will try to accommodate you as soon as we can. Anyone aged 26 years or above is not currently eligible for the Men ACWY at their GP practice and would have to arrange this privately for a fee via a pharmacy or private vaccination clinic
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please visit:
NHS meningitis guidance:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/
UK Health Security Agency information on meningococcal disease:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/meningococcal-disease-guidance-data-and-analysis
Meningitis Now (support and advice for families):
https://www.meningitisnow.org/
When to seek urgent help:
Although rare, meningitis can become serious quickly. Seek urgent medical attention (call 999 or attend A&E) if your child has symptoms such as:
High fever, cold hands/feet, limb pain
Pale, mottled or blotchy skin
Unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking
Severe headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light
A rash that does not fade when pressed
If you’re worried, please use NHS 111 for advice.
