UK to offer meningitis B vaccine to school leavers and new students
11 reported
The UK government has announced a one-off vaccination programme offering two doses of the meningitis B vaccine to teenagers in their final school year and young people starting university. The programme, beginning in late July, follows an unprecedented outbreak of meningitis B in Kent earlier this year and clusters in Dorset and Berkshire that together led to the deaths of three young people. The vaccine, Bexsero, is given as two doses at least 28 days apart and protects against most strains of MenB bacteria, with protection thought to last at least six years. The health secretary, James Murray, said the outbreak and recent clusters indicate a possible change in how MenB affects people, and the government is acting to protect young people at highest immediate risk as they enter university. Those eligible include young people born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, and people under 25 starting university or moving into residential further education settings for the first time this autumn, including international students. The UK Health Security Agency has noted that cases of invasive meningococcal disease tend to peak in October to November each year. Campaigners have called for an expansion of the MenB vaccination programme, which the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is considering.
What’s reported
The one-off vaccination programme will begin in late July.
The outbreak in Kent and clusters in Dorset and Berkshire led to the deaths of three young people.
The vaccine, Bexsero, is given as two doses at least 28 days apart and protects against most strains of MenB bacteria.
Protection from the vaccine is thought to last at least six years.
Eligible groups: young people born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, and people under 25 starting university or moving into residential further education settings for the first time this autumn, including international students.
Health secretary James Murray said the outbreak and clusters indicate a possible change in how MenB affects people.
The UK Health Security Agency noted that cases of invasive meningococcal disease tend to peak in October to November each year.
The MenB vaccine has been given on the NHS as part of the routine immunisation programme for babies since 2015.
Young people are not routinely offered MenB vaccination on the NHS; some parents have turned to private vaccination costing £200 or more per child for two doses.
Campaigners have called for an expansion of the MenB vaccination programme, which the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is considering.
Dr Shamez Ladhani of the UKHSA said the new offering is part of an emergency outbreak response and will encompass about a million teenagers and young people.
Key figures
James Murray, health secretary
Caroline Temmink, director of vaccination at NHS England
Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency
Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at the Bristol Children’s Vaccine Centre
Alex Stanley, vice president of the National Union of Students
Sources: The Guardian
