Meningitis outbreak in the Canterbury Area

Get the latests update who is eligible for prophylactic antibiotics and the symptoms of meningitis to look out for.

If you or someone you know develops symptoms of meningitis or septicaemia, seek medical help urgently by going to the nearest Accident and Emergency department or calling 999

Further information

• What is Meningitis
• Meningitis Now

All children born from August 2015 will have received a Meningitis B vaccination in their routine vaccinations (3 vaccines age 8 weeks, 12-16 weeks and 1 year)

If a child has missed a vaccine in this schedule, they are eligible for another vaccine until the age of 2 years.

After the age of 2, this vaccine is only available privately.  We are not able to provide this at The Medical Centre.

Children in secondary school age 14 years receive a Meningitis ACWY vaccination.  If this has been missed, they can be given this before the age of 25 years.  This can be done at the practice.  Men ACWY vaccine cannot be provided by the surgery prior to the child becoming eligible as per the National Immunisation Programme.

The UKHSA has said that this vaccination is sufficient protection in the case of this current outbreak.

Published: Mar 17, 2026