Meningitis Information

We are aware of the recent meningitis B (MenB) outbreak in Kent and understand this may be worrying for parents. The MenB vaccine was introduced into the routine NHS childhood vaccination schedule in September 2015 and is given to babies at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 1 year of age.

This means that children born before mid-2015 will not routinely have received the MenB vaccine unless they were in a specific clinical risk group. MenB vaccination is not part of the school-based immunisation programme, so older children and teenagers are not usually vaccinated.

In most cases, children born after this date will have been offered the vaccine as part of their routine childhood immunisations, and if your child is up to date with these, they are likely to have received appropriate protection in line with current NHS guidance. Please see link to NHS Guidance here - Meningitis - Vaccination - NHS

The NHS does not offer the MenB vaccine outside of the routine programme or specific clinical risk groups, so we are not able to provide it on request. Some families may wish to explore private vaccination options.

Any changes to the national immunisation schedule or additional vaccination recommendations will be communicated to GP practices by NHS vaccination services, and we will contact eligible patients directly if required.

A patient helpline run by UKHSA is now available; Patients can call 0344 225 3861 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm if they have no symptoms but are concerned they have been in contact with a confirmed case or have a general enquiry. If your child is unwell or you are concerned about symptoms, please seek urgent medical advice in the usual way.