The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed 23 cases of meningitis, including 18 meningitis B cases, with another 11 cases still under investigation. All patients have needed hospital treatment. The Kent meningitis crisis has sparked a rush as hundreds scramble for vaccinations.
Vaccination Frenzy at University of Kent
More than 500 rushed to the University of Kent campus clinic at Canterbury over the weekend to get the meningitis B jab. The clinic opened at 9am, but some early birds queued from as early as 5am. By 11am, the queue had shrunk to just 15 eager students.
Wait times have thankfully dropped. Students arriving when the clinic opened were vaccinated within 75 minutes, slashing the previous four-hour waits noted on Friday.
“It’s a slick operation we’re running now isn’t it,” a clinic worker noted.
Drama student Maria, 22, summed up the mood: “I think it’s important to protect ourselves because there’s been some deaths and people in hospital. We’re all quite worried so it’s better to get vaccinated.”
Bradley, 20, studying sport and exercise science, had been queuing since before 9am. “I’m just getting the vaccine, getting it done. Trying to protect myself and the people around me. It’s very important we all get it done as soon as possible,” he said.
Thousands Vaccinated as Outbreak Intensifies
By Saturday morning, NHS Kent and Medway had administered 5,841 vaccines and handed out 11,033 courses of antibiotics across Kent. Six clinics are now operating county-wide to deliver treatments and vaccines to those eligible.
Tragically, two students have died in the outbreak. Among them is 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, described by her family as “fit, healthy and strong” before falling ill.
Health Officials Warn but Urge Calm
Dr Ben Rush, UKHSA’s consultant in communicable disease control, assured the public:
“We remain vigilant for new cases and are working with NHS England and local authorities to make sure any new cases are identified and responded to swiftly. It’s reassuring so many young people are coming forward for antibiotics and vaccinations.”
He urged everyone to know the signs of invasive meningococcal disease and to seek immediate medical help if symptoms appear. He also stressed that the wider public risk remains low.
Kent County Council’s Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, warned of possible “small household, sporadic clusters” outside Kent as students travel and unknowingly incubate the bacteria.
“These clusters would be containable and the risk of infection between individuals is low,” said Dr Ghosh. “The most likely scenario is containment in Kent, but we’re prepared for other outcomes, including — though highly unlikely — clusters beyond Kent.”
With tens of thousands now vaccinated, health officials continue their fight to control this serious meningitis outbreak sweeping through Kent’s student population.
