Health secretary defends response to UK meningitis B outbreak

• An "unprecedented" meningitis outbreak, identified as the B strain, has led to two deaths and 15 confirmed cases, primarily affecting students in Kent.
• The outbreak is linked to the University of Kent, Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury, and at least five schools, with health officials attributing its rapid spread to a "super-spreader" event.
• Health Secretary Wes Streeting defended the UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) response, stating they acted "as quickly and as comprehensively as possible" despite criticism over the timing of public alerts.
• A targeted vaccination programme has been rolled out for University of Kent students, and 700 doses of antibiotics distributed, though some pharmacies in Kent have reportedly run out of private vaccine supplies.
• Experts are investigating whether the specific MenB strain involved has mutations causing more severe illness, while the Health Secretary has asked for a review of meningitis vaccine eligibility for a wider population.

IN FULL

Streeting defends response to ‘unprecedented’ meningitis B outbreak as cases ‘linked to super-spreader event’