Meningitis B vaccine to be offered

STUDENTS in university halls in Kent are to be offered the meningitis B vaccine, Wes Streeting said yesterday, as officials worked to stem the spread of infection in an “unprecedented” outbreak.

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The Health Secretary said most students would not already be vaccinated against menB, adding that the jabs will begin in the next few days.

Mr Streeting told MPs “This is an unprecedented outbreak. It is also a rapidly developing situation.”

He said the menB vaccine has been available on the NHS since 2015 as part of routine childhood immunisations, “but clearly most students would not be vaccinated”.

He added: “Given the severity of the situation, I can confirm to the House that we will begin a targeted vaccination programme for students living in halls of residence at the University of Kent, in Canterbury, which will begin in the coming days.”

The programme may also expand further if other groups are deemed to be at risk.