Health Secretary promises more meningitis vaccines as number of cases rise to 27
He was speaking during a visit to the University of Kent
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said more people affected by a meningitis outbreak in Kent will get vaccines as the number of cases rose to 27.
Mr Streeting said more would get protection against meningitis B, which has been the strain affecting those who fell ill after visiting Club Chemistry in Canterbury.
He said anyone who attended the club from March 5 until it closed (March 14) would be offered the jab, alongside sixth-formers at four schools and more university students in Canterbury.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that as of 5pm on Wednesday, 15 cases of meningitis have been confirmed and a further 12 are under investigation.
This takes the total to 27 cases of either confirmed or suspected meningitis, up from 20 on Wednesday. Two students have died in the outbreak.
Currently, nine of the 15 confirmed cases are known to be caused by menB.
On a visit to the University of Kent, Mr Streeting said: “We are now encouraging anyone who attended Club Chemistry from March 5 until it voluntarily closed to come forward for both antibiotics and vaccination.
“Furthermore, we’re expanding vaccination to anyone who’s previously been offered the prophylactic antibiotic.
“That will include a large number of students here at the University of Kent.
“And it will include some students at Canterbury Christchurch University.
“It will also includes sixth-formers at four schools where there are known or suspected cases.
“These are proportionate steps to help us contain spread and we’re keeping that situation under review.”
Mr Streeting said the outbreak of meningitis “isn’t like Covid”, adding the risk to the general public is “extremely low”.
He said: “I also want to reassure people, that in terms of the way in which this infection and disease spreads, it is through close personal contact.
“We’ve got effective treatment through the antibiotic, we’ve got effective vaccination, which is up and running.
“All of those things taken together mean that the risks, even for students here in Canterbury, are relatively low.
“And, of course, the general public across the country, who are also watching with interest and concern, the risks to the general public is extremely low.”
Mr Streeting said it is “understandable” that people might be worried and said he expected cases to rise.
But he added: “The way in which this disease spreads is from close personal contact … this isn’t like Covid.”
It comes as Morrisons confirmed an employee who attended Club Chemistry has contracted meningitis.
A Morrisons spokesperson told us: “We can confirm that a colleague at our Sittingbourne distribution centre visited Club Chemistry and subsequently contracted meningitis.
“He is currently receiving treatment and we are in close touch with his family.
“We are following all government guidance, the site is operating as normal and we are continuing to monitor the situation closely.”
Elsewhere, a Kent University student said three people with meningitis are members of the cheerleading society there.
Olivia Parkins, 18, who is part of the cheerleading society at the University of Kent, told the Press Association there have been three confirmed cases within the society – all of whom are in hospital.
To date, thousands of doses of antibiotics have been handed out to those who attended Club Chemistry in Canterbury, alongside students living in halls at the Canterbury campus of the University of Kent.
The UKHSA said four schools in Kent have confirmed cases of meningitis, while the London animation and games school Escape Studios said one if its students had contracted meningitis who had links to Kent.
Louise Jones-Roberts, who owns Club Chemistry in Canterbury and has seen two members of staff with meningitis, said she was pleased there would be more jabs.
She told PA: “I’m really pleased, I’m over the moon there are more vaccines.
“I’d like to see it given to all under-25s though. It needs to be looked at right across the country.
“As for reopening the club, there will come a time when it feels OK to open and we will know when the time is right.
“But it’s definitely not going to be this weekend.”
Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, said it is important students still come forward for antibiotics.
“If you have been offered preventative antibiotics, it is strongly recommended that you take them promptly,” she added.
“If you are a student at the University of Kent who is eligible but has since returned home, contact your local GP, who will be able to provide advice and prescribe the appropriate treatment.”