How to get second dose of meningitis B vaccine

52 minutes ago

Simon Jonesand

Craig Buchan,South East

Students received the first dose of the Meningitis B vaccinations at the University of Kent in March

PA Media A nurse in blue scrubs sat at a table with a young man, who is rolling up his sleeve. Both are wearing clinical face masks. — Students received the first dose of the Meningitis B vaccinations at the University of Kent in March

Almost 12,000 people who received vaccinations against a meningitis variant following a deadly outbreak in March are being invited to receive their second dose.

Two people died and another 19 were confirmed to have the disease during the outbreak, thought to have originated at a Canterbury nightclub.

Health officials responded by rolling out antibiotics and a vaccine against the meningitis B (MenB) strain, with the second dose becoming available from 13 April.

Where to get the second dose

People who had a first dose at least four weeks ago will begin to receive their second doses on Friday.

Appointment slots were available at multiple clinics and other sites in Canterbury, Faversham and Ashford.

Details of how to book would be made available on the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System's webpage for the meningitis outbreak.

People can book a second dose online, with almost 7,500 available at sites in Kent.

Students in Years 11,12 and 13 will be offered a second dose of the vaccine at their school from the week beginning 27 April.

The NHS warned there are two types of vaccination doses available, but they have to be the same.

Anyone who got the Trumenba vaccine as their first dose privately will need to get a second dose of this vaccine privately again.

Who is eligible?

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) brought in a targeted vaccination programme as part of its response to the outbreak.

Vaccination began with students living in halls of residence at the University of Kent's Canterbury campus and was then expanded to anybody that was offered preventative antibiotics.

Young people queued up to receive antibiotics and their first dose of the vaccine during the March outbreak

Several people in jackets and blue facemasks, queuing along the side of a brick building. — Young people queued up to receive antibiotics and their first dose of the vaccine during the March outbreak

In addition to the original students, those eligible for the vaccine include:

Some staff who live or work in the student accommodation
Close contacts of people confirmed or suspected to have had the disease
Students at other Canterbury universities or living in other locations where there has been a case
Anyone who visited or worked at Club Chemistry in Canterbury between 5 and 15 March
Sixth form and year 11 pupils at schools or colleges with a suspected case

What if you haven't had first dose?

First doses of the vaccine for eligible people are still available to be booked.

Appointment slots from Monday to Thursday at the University Medical Practise are fully booked.

Appointments are available between 09:00 and 16:00 GMT up until then, at University Medical Practice in Canterbury.

The NHS said appointments will be made available from Friday, 17 April, which can be booked via the online booking system.

They will be available until 8 May.

More than 11,700 vaccinations have been administered so far, according to the NHS.

What do experts say?

Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: "We know this has been a worrying time for students, their families and others who have been affected by the outbreak.

"So far, it is reassuring there have been no further cases linked to the outbreak for more than three weeks.

"However, receiving the full course of two MenB vaccine doses remains critical for providing protection against MenB disease.

"Please book your second dose of the MenB vaccine promptly - completing the full course is the best way to ensure you are fully protected."

What happened during outbreak?

A 21-year-old university student, whose name was not made public, and sixth form pupil Juliette Kenny both died after contracting the infection in March.

Many others required hospital treatment.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the outbreak at the time as "unprecedented" due to the number of people who became infected in a short timeframe.

Why were people not vaccinated against MenB already?

The MenB vaccine is part of the UK NHS childhood immunisation programme for babies born on or after 1 July 2015, meaning anyone older than 11 have not had the jab.

UK vaccine experts concluded it was not cost effective to offer the MenB vaccine to adolescents and the NHS does not offer a catch-up programme.

Streeting has said he has asked the government's vaccination advisers to consider whether that should now change.

A separate vaccine against A, C, W and Y strains is offered to 14-year-olds and is available free to anyone who missed out, until their 25th birthday.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.