Two young people are dead and 20 are receiving treatment following a meningitis outbreak at the University of Kent. The strain responsible for this outbreak is identified as meningococcal group B disease, which has prompted urgent health responses.
The Bexsero vaccine, which has been available since 2013 and was added to the UK’s national immunisation schedule in September 2015, is now a focal point in addressing the outbreak. However, every student currently enrolled at the university was born before July 2015, missing the cut-off for routine vaccination.
In a concerning study, the proportion of students carrying meningococcal bacteria surged from less than 7% to over 23% within just four days of starting university. This spike highlights the increased risk associated with university life, where first-year undergraduate students face a risk of meningococcal B disease almost 12 times higher than their non-student peers.
In response to the outbreak, bookings for private meningitis B vaccinations have surged to 65 times their normal level, indicating a heightened awareness and concern among students and their families. A targeted vaccination campaign has been launched for students living in halls of residence at the University of Kent.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that the government has expanded the vaccination programme to include anyone who attended Club Chemistry between March 5 and March 15. As of March 19, the UK Health Security Agency confirmed 27 cases of meningitis, with Canterbury Christ Church University reporting its first case on March 18.
University staff and students are understandably alarmed. Jo Grady, a representative, stated, “University staff and students are rightly very concerned about the meningitis outbreak, especially those living and working in Kent.” Streeting remarked, “There is no reason for me to be the fun police today and tell students across the country that they shouldn’t be going out this weekend.”
Emergency responses to outbreaks incur significant costs and cannot undo the harm already done. The availability of private vaccination creates a situation where access depends on ability to pay, raising concerns about equity in health access.
Looking ahead, Health Secretary Wes Streeting will ask the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to re-examine eligibility for meningitis vaccines in light of the outbreak. The link between university life and meningococcal risk has been established for decades, and the current situation underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and public health measures.
Details remain unconfirmed.
