Norfolk expert: Wider vaccination against meningitis needs 'looking at'
It comes after multiple cases of the disease' 'B strain' have been found in Kent and are linked to a nightclub there
A local medical expert tells us that the decision to not vaccinate all teenagers against Meningitis B needs to be continually looked at.
It's as a targeted campaign of this kind is being rolled out in Kent, following a so-called 'explosive outbreak' there.
The Meningitis B vaccine is recommended for infants at 8 weeks and 12 weeks of age, with a booster dose at 12–13 months.
It is also available privately for older children and adults, usually requiring two doses at least 4 weeks apart.
The University of East Anglia has been contacted for comment on what they are doing to keep students safe.
"It's probably one of the biggest that we've seen in about 40 years"
Professor Paul Hunter is from Norwich Medical School:
"We do see clusters of this disease regularly, indeed in most years. But what I think is worrying about this particular cluster is that it's probably one of the biggest that we've seen in about 40 years.
"When you have more than one case then it starts to get more concerning as the number of people who are contacts then becomes greater than the number of people they live with.
"So for example, if we were talking about a secondary school and so you had two children in the same class with the disease, then you'd have to give anti-biotics to everyone in the class".
What the latest on meningitis in the UK?
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that, as of 5pm on Tuesday, some 20 cases of meningitis had been reported to it, up from 15 previously.
Of these, nine cases have been confirmed in the lab and 11 remain under investigation.
Six of the confirmed cases have been confirmed as the meningitis B strain.
A statement said: “All those affected who are currently linked to the outbreak are young adults.
“UKHSA is aware of a baby with confirmed meningococcal group B infection who is not currently linked to the outbreak but UKHSA will continue to investigate this case.”
GPs across the country have now been told to prescribe antibiotics to anyone who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury from March 5-7, plus students from the University of Kent.
This is to ensure anyone who has left campus can make sure they get the right treatment.
The UKHSA said: “This is a rapidly evolving situation and there may be further cases as those with symptoms are encouraged to seek medical advice.
“Antibiotics remain the most effective treatment to limit the spread of invasive meningococcal disease.
“So far, over 2,500 doses have been given to students, close contacts and others, including some of those who attended Club Chemistry between March 5-7.
“GPs across the country will today be advised to prescribe antibiotics to anyone who visited Club Chemistry between March 5-7 and to University of Kent students, if they have been asked to seek preventative treatment.
“This is so that anyone who has travelled home, or away from Kent, can easily access this important preventative treatment close to them.”
Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, said antibiotics are “the main intervention that will help protect people and halt the spread of the outbreak”.
She added that 5,000 University of Kent students at the Canterbury campus will be offered a menB jab, “with the possibility that it may be extended, as it is kept under continual review”.
Two students have died during the outbreak, including 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, who was studying for her A-Levels.
The number of cases is expected to rise because the incubation period for the infection to when symptoms appear is two to 14 days.
The outbreak is being viewed by experts as unprecedented owing to the high number of cases appearing in such a short space of time.
A meeting of local Integrated Care Board officials and UKHSA regional staff is taking place on Wednesday morning, with an announcement expected later on the vaccine rollout.