Key Summary
- A deadly meningitis outbreak at the University of Kent has killed two and left several seriously ill, with links to a nightclub visit.
- UK Health Security Agency is urging people to get preventive antibiotics and act fast on symptoms.
- Pharmacy leaders say expanding vaccine services in pharmacies could help stop future outbreaks early.
The University of Kent has been hit by a rare form of invasive meningitis that has killed two people, including a student, left 11 people severely sick.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that some of those affected had visited a local nightclub between 5 and 7 March, prior to becoming unwell. UKHSA’s team is working closely with the nightclub and partners including the University of Kent to limit the spread.
As a precautionary measure, the agency is now advising anyone who visited the club on the above dates to come forward for preventative antibiotic treatment.
Advice has been issued to 16,000 staff and students at the University of Kent, where antibiotics are also being offered to those who need them.
Meningitis is caused by meningococcal bacteria and it leads to the inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, as well as a form of blood poisoning known as septicaemia.
Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly with common symptoms being fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting, and cold hands and feet.
These symptoms often get confused with other illnesses such as a cold, flu or hangover, and students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs.
The UKHSA has urged people on alert as early treatment can be lifesaving. Those with symptoms should contact a GP, call NHS 111 or dial 999 during an emergency.
Pharmacy leaders
Pharmacy organisations Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) have announced that they are willing to extend their services to help tackle these outbreaks.
“They already have proven effective in delivering catch-up vaccinations such as the MMRV vaccine to help stop measles spreading further,” said Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the CCA about the potential of community pharmacies.
He suggested NHS England to commission pharmacies to deliver vaccines including the 3-in-1 teenage booster and meningitis ACWY, for adolescents and young adults, ensuring a proactive and national approach.
With this intervention from the pharmacies’ end, NHS can prioritise prevention, ensure improved uptakes and free up GP appointments.
He also added, “To support the national vaccination strategy, the government should make pharmacy-based vaccinations a routine part of the NHS programme, giving the public greater choice while also helping prevent future outbreaks.”
The NPA has offered to help 30 per cent of teenagers, who missed their MenACWY vaccination, along with their plan to reform the childhood vaccination programme, which is witnessing a decline in the recent years.
NPA chair Olivier Picard said, "We are alarmed by falling vaccination rates for a number of diseases, including meningitis and measles, which shows our approach to childhood vaccination is not fit for purpose and is in need of urgent reform to tackle a growing wave of vaccine hesitancy.”
He also added that pharmacies are “quick, reliable and convenient places to receive vaccinations, with evidence suggesting that using pharmacies in other NHS vaccination campaigns increases uptake, particularly in more deprived communities.”
