Following the ongoing meningitis outbreak and reports of the very sad deaths in Kent, we are aware that patients have increased queries about vaccinations against meningitis.

The key elements to note are:

• Many routine vaccinations protect against meningitis including MenB, DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB, PCV, MMRV and Men ACWY vaccines

Patients can be sign-posted to these pages: Meningitis - Vaccination - NHS

Patients should be encouraged to ensure they are up to date with all routine immunisations

• Patients with incomplete immunisations can be offered vaccinations in line with the UKHSA guidance here:  Vaccination of individuals with uncertain or incomplete immunisation status

The Kent outbreak is linked to MenB meningococcal disease. The Men B vaccine is offered at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 1 year of age. Babies can be offered missed vaccinations up to 2 years of age. Practices should not offer Men B vaccination routinely or on request to those over 2 years of age. The exception is for some children and adults with asplenia, splenic dysfunction or complement disorders (including those on complement inhibitor treatment) - in line with the Green Book guidance below Green Book chapter 22 - Meningococcal and see also: Box 7.1 here: The Green book of immunisation - chapter 7 - Immunisation of immunocompromised individuals:

“Given the increased risk, additional vaccinations against meningococcal disease are advised for individuals with asplenia or splenic dysfunction or when a complement disorder is diagnosed depending on age and vaccination history (see Chapter 7). Individuals who are to receive complement-inhibitor therapy should be vaccinated at least two weeks prior to commencement of therapy unless the risk of delaying treatment outweighs the risk of developing a meningococcal infection. Individuals commencing treatment less than two weeks after a meningococcal vaccine require prophylactic antibiotics until two weeks following vaccination. This advice applies to all newly diagnosed patients. Where an opportunity arises, and depending on the individual patient’s circumstances, eligible at-risk children and adults who have never received 4CMenB or MenACWY conjugate vaccine should be offered these vaccines.”

• The Men ACWY vaccine is given to children in school in School Year 9 (13 or 14 years of age). Those who missed immunisation can receive the vaccination up to 25 years of age from their GP Practice.

Useful links:

• Cases of invasive meningococcal disease notified in Kent - GOV.UK
• Meningitis - NHS