Meningitis: Jab rollout to 5,000 university campus students begins

In partnership with the UK Health Security Agency , the university is rolling out vaccines to protect students and is continuing to offer thousands of doses of antibiotics to students and staff

The campus at the University of Kent in Canterbury (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The rollout of a meningitis B vaccine to about 5,000 students living on campus in Canterbury has begun, the University of Kent has said.

In partnership with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the university is rolling out vaccines to protect students and is continuing to offer thousands of doses of antibiotics to students and staff.

It comes after two students died and 18 more cases were being investigated by the UKHSA after an outbreak of meningitis linked to a nightclub.

It is unclear how students who have already left campus and have gone home to other parts of the country will access a jab.

The Department of Health and the university have been asked for comment on that aspect.

The university said in a statement that the jab rollout was “part of our ongoing commitment to offer a swift response and reassurance to support Kent students at this difficult time”.

It comes as a University of Kent student said she has “no idea” how to get the meningitis vaccination.

The architecture student, who gave her name only as Sophie, told the Press Association: “I think people that live in on-campus accommodation are going to get them, but we live off-campus so we are really not sure.”

She said students had fled the city after the news broke.

She said: “It’s so quiet now, most of our friends have gone home, it’s weird.

“We are the only two left in our house and we’re both going home today.”

Sophie said she received antibiotics on Tuesday, but was waiting to take the pill until she knew whether she has been in close contact with anyone who has become ill.

She added: “Normally I’d be out in the clubs but I’ve been stuck in the library for the last two weeks, which has worked out quite well.”

Five new cases of meningitis have now been reported in Kent, taking the total number being investigated by health officials to 20.

Of these, nine cases have been confirmed in the lab and 11 remain under investigation.

Six of the confirmed cases have been confirmed as the meningitis B strain.

GPs across the country have now been told to prescribe antibiotics to anyone who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury from March 5-7, plus students from the University of Kent.

This is to ensure anyone who has left campus can make sure they get the right treatment.

The UKHSA said: “This is a rapidly evolving situation and there may be further cases as those with symptoms are encouraged to seek medical advice.

“Antibiotics remain the most effective treatment to limit the spread of invasive meningococcal disease.

“So far, over 2,500 doses have been given to students, close contacts and others, including some of those who attended Club Chemistry between March 5-7.

“GPs across the country will today be advised to prescribe antibiotics to anyone who visited Club Chemistry between March 5-7 and to University of Kent students, if they have been asked to seek preventative treatment.

“This is so that anyone who has travelled home, or away from Kent, can easily access this important preventative treatment close to them.”