The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is continuing to investigate an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Kent with 13 cases notified since 13 March. Risk to the general public is low as infection usually requires close prolonged contact.
Patients that have been identified as ‘at risk’ will be contacted directly by UKHSA or their local health protection team and offered antibiotics. We are not able to prescribe these antibiotics for this purpose as your GP. The UKHSA Health Protection Team for Surrey & Sussex can be contacted on 0344 225 3861.
Do you live in Canterbury and have you been a contact?
If you are at university or school in Canterbury and are worried you have been a contact – please follow this guidance from Kent & Medway ICB: Meningitis outbreak in the Canterbury area | News | ICB
Do you have symptoms?
Meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) is an uncommon but serious disease caused by meningococcal bacteria. Very occasionally, the meningococcal bacteria can cause serious illness, (inflammation of the lining of the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning), which can rapidly lead to sepsis. The onset of illness is often sudden and early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are vital.
Check the symptoms on the NHS website: Meningitis – NHS and Symptoms of sepsis – NHS
If you think you have meningitis or sepsis, call 999 for an ambulance or go immediately to your nearest A&E.
If you are not sure you have symptoms?
If you’re not sure if it’s anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis, call NHS 111 for advice.
Vaccinations
There are numerous strains of the meningococcal infection.
Men B vaccination has been part of the UK routine vaccination schedule since 2015 and is given at 2 months, 3 months and 1 year.
MenACWY, which gives protection against MenA, MenC, MenW, and MenY, is given at age 13 or 14 years old (Years 9 and 10 at school).
MenACWY does not protect against all forms of meningococcal infection. Other strains, such as MenB, can circulate in young adults, which is why it’s important to know how to spot the symptoms.
Find out more & see the UK routine vaccination schedule on the NHS website: NHS vaccinations and when to have them – NHS
Have you had your vaccines?
You can check if you have had your routine vaccines on your NHS App or by calling the surgery.
If you have missed your MenACWY?
If you missed having your MenACWY vaccine, you can get it up to the age of 25 years.
If you are still at school, contact the School Nursing Team. They give vaccines to school aged children and run catch up clinics for any children that missed their immunisations: 01273 696011 ext. 2080. Website: School Nursing Team
If you are at university and are registered with a GP practice there, contact them to book your vaccination. We are unable to give it to you as a temporary patient as we do not have your full medical history.
If you are registered with us, contact our reception team to book an appointment with our practice nurse.
MenB vaccines
As of 19 March, vaccination has been extended to everyone who has been offered preventative antibiotic treatment as part of this outbreak. At the present time, this includes:
- students at the University of Kent who are normally resident on the Canterbury Campus, including those who may have now travelled home. Some staff living or working in these Halls of Residence have also been offered antibiotic prophylaxis.
- students in relevant halls of residence or other private dwellings who attend other universities in Canterbury and have been advised to take an antibiotic due to a close contact.
- individuals who attended Club Chemistry from 5 March until it closed voluntarily on March 16.
Sixth form or other year groups and education settings in Kent where there are confirmed or probable cases are also eligible and have been notified by schools or UKHSA. Local arrangements are in place to offer vaccination to this group.
If you are an eligible patient registered with our practice and you have not been able to have the vaccine at another location, please contact us to request the vaccination.
