We are receiving queries from concerned patients and parents regarding the meningitis B outbreak in Kent. Here we collect some of the latest information.

Response to the outbreak

Patients who are still in Kent will be picked up by the mass treatment sites at the university and provided with antibiotic prophylaxis, but this may not cover all those who may have returned home.

Concerned patients, even if they have no symptoms, those who have been in contact with a confirmed case or those with a general enquiry may ring a helpline or get website info as below. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Kent & Medway ICB update UKHSA Helpline 0344 225 3861

Practices in Derbyshire are not authorised to provide outbreak response (i.e., antibiotic prophylaxis) but there will be a local provider who will be able to do this in due course. We will share details as soon as we receive them.

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges), usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

It can be very serious if not treated quickly and can cause life-threatening sepsis and permanent damage to the brain or nerves. It can affect anyone but most commonly babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.

Symptoms of meningitis include:

• high temperature (fever)
• vomiting
• headache
• rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (please note a rash may not always appear)
• stiff neck
• photophobia (dislike of bright lights)
• drowsiness or unresponsiveness
• seizures (fits)

These symptoms may develop suddenly, in any order and may not all come on at once.

NHS meningitis NHS sepsis

What if I suspect meningitis?

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis.

Do not wait for all the symptoms (or a rash) to appear. If you are worried about meningitis, do not delay.

Rapid transport to hospital is of the highest priority and must not be delayed even for the administration of antibiotics beforehand.

Ring 999 Nearest A&E

Please do not book a GP appointment or fill out an online consultation request.

How can I protect against it?

The current outbreak is caused by meningitis B (menB).

Babies have been routinely offered vaccination against MenB as part of their NHS vaccination schedule since 2015. We recommend all parents to have their babies fully vaccinated.

Vaccinations offer some protection against certain causes of meningitis. These include:

• MenB vaccine is offered to babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at 1 year
  
  MenB vaccine cannot currently be given to anyone over the age of 2 years, unless immunocompromised due to lack of spleen or splenic dysfunction
• 6-in-1 vaccine (DTaP/IPV/Hib/Hep B) is offered to children at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks and 18 months
• Pneumococcal vaccine is 2 doses offered to babies at 16 weeks and 1 year, and a single dose offered to adults aged 65 or over
• MMRV vaccine (measles/mumps/rubella/chickenpox) is offered to children at 12 months and 18 months
• MenACWY vaccine is offered to teenagers, sixth formers and 'fresher' students going to university for the first time
  
  GP surgeries can administer MenACWY vaccine to any under 25 year old on request

Parents of school age children should contact the School Aged Immunisation Service (Intrahealth).

Intrahealth website Intrahealth phoneline
03333 583 397 (option 5)

Children with incomplete vaccination can be offered vaccination in line with current guidance .

Vaccination reminder

As your GPs, we urge all eligible patients to attend for their recommended vaccinations.

We are aware that there are still many patients choosing not to get vaccinated, and even more worryingly, far too many parents who actively choose not to vaccinate their babies and young children and are therefore putting them at risk of preventable and life-threatening conditions.

If you are eligible for any vaccination and have received an invite from us, or have previously declined a vaccination and now wish to proceed, please do get in touch.

Where can I get more info?

GOV meningitis outbreak Meningitis Research Foundation Meningitis Now