The number of cases linked to a meningitis outbreak in Kent has fallen after a number of infections were downgraded following further tests.
The UK Health and Security Agency said the total number of confirmed and suspected cases was now 29, down from 34 on Saturday.
Dr Sherine Thomas, infectious diseases consultant at UKHSA, said it was possible that further cases could be downgraded in the coming days but said "we continue to remain vigilant for new cases”.
She said it was reassuring that so many young people had come forward for antibiotics and vaccination, with 9,000 jabs and over 12,000 courses of preventative treatments now handed out.
Health chiefs have suggested the peak of the meningitis B outbreak, described as “unprecedented” because of the large number of cases linked to a “superspreader” event at a Canterbury nightclub, has passed, but said cases may continue to rise in the coming days.
Officials said secondary cases could involve people who were not infected at the nightclub, but caught the illness from someone who was there.
Key Points
- Meningitis cases fall to 29 after some downgraded
- Wes Streeting pays tribute to healthcare worker battling to contain outbreak
- Hundreds queue for third day in scramble to get vaccine
- 'Peak' of outbreak has passed, officials suggest
- Another super-spreader event is 'worst case scenario'
- Experts considering expanding menB vaccine eligibility
Recap: Meningitis cases fall as experts call for 'vigilance'
06:10 , Amy-Clare Martin- The number of meningitis cases linked to an outbreak in Kent has decreased after some initially confirmed cases were reclassified following further tests
- As of 21 March, there are 20 confirmed cases and nine suspected cases under investigation, bringing the total to 29
- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that cases were reclassified based on additional laboratory results and clinical investigation
- The UKHSA expects more probable cases to be downgraded in the coming days as further laboratory assessments are completed
- Dr Sherine Thomas of UKHSA highlighted ongoing vigilance, the importance of knowing symptoms, and seeking immediate medical attention, while reassuring the public that the risk to the wider population remains low
Recap: More than 9000 meningitis B vaccines administered
05:10 , Amy-Clare MartinMore than 9,078 meningitis B vaccines had been administered as of Saturday evening while 12,595 antibiotics had been handed out, NHS Kent and Medway said.
Health officials 'remain vigilant' for new cases
04:10 , Amy-Clare MartinDr Sherine Thomas, infectious diseases consultant at the UKHSA, said on Sunday: “We continue to remain vigilant for new cases and work closely with NHS England and local authorities across the country to ensure that any new cases identified are responded to as quickly as possible.
“It’s reassuring to have seen so many eligible young people come forward for antibiotics and vaccination, and we’d like to thank everyone involved in this effort so far.
“Although the risk to the wider population remains low, it is still really important that people know the symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease and seek immediate medical attention if they or anyone they know develops them. UKHSA continues to work with partners to identify contacts and offer necessary treatment.”
The UK Health and Security Agency said the total number of confirmed and suspected cases fell to 29 on Sunday, down from 34, after further testing.
Towie star battling viral meningitis
03:10 , Amy-Clare MartinReality television personality Jordan Brook has this weekend revealed he is battling viral meningitis in an update from his hospital bed.
‘The Only Way is Essex’ star’s case is not connected to the outbreak of meningitis in Kent.
Read more:
Towie star Jordan Brook reveals he has meningitis in update from hospital bed
Meningitis B: What are the symptoms and how does it spread?
02:10 , Amy-Clare MartinHere are the symptoms of meningitis and what to do if you suspect you have the infection:
Meningitis victim, 18, had 'beautifully positive energy', grieving father says
01:10 , Amy-Clare MartinThe father of an 18-year-old girl who died following a meningitis outbreak in Kent had a “beautifully positive energy”, her grieving father has said.
Juliette Kenny died on Saturday, 14 March, one day after first showing symptoms including vomiting and discolouration in her cheeks, her father Michael Kenny said.
Mr Kenny added his daughter had been "fit, healthy and strong" before her death, having completed her PE A-level practical assessment days earlier.
Juliette is one of two young people who have died following the meningitis B outbreak in the county.
Read more:
Family pay tribute to teenager who died after meningitis outbreak
‘Sporadic’ household clusters could appear elsewhere in UK
00:10 , Amy Clare-Martin- A fatal meningitis outbreak in Kent has resulted in 29 cases, comprising 18 confirmed and 11 probable, all linked to the region, with two deaths reported
- Dr Anjan Ghosh, Kent County Council’s director of public health, warned on Friday that sporadic household clusters of meningitis could emerge outside Kent over the next four weeks as students incubating the bug travel, though he expects these to be “containable”
- He clarified that meningitis requires “protracted close contact” for transmission, such as sharing utensils or kissing, making it significantly less transmissible than Covid-19
Thousands sign petition calling for menB vaccination programme for 16 to 23-year-olds
23:10 , Amy-Clare MartinTens of thousands of people have signed a petition calling for the government to fund the rollout meningitis B vaccinations for 16 to 23-year-olds.
Marrissa Mullans, whose 18-year-old son, Alfie Jake Mullans, died from menB in 2023, said young people "have the right to life" and no parent should have to lose a child.
She is calling for a catch-up vaccination programme for 16 to 23-year-olds who were too old to be eligible for the jab when it was rolled out on the NHS in 2015.
Read the full story:
Calls for meningitis B vaccination programme for 16 to 23-year-olds
Lisa Snowdon shares meningitis symptoms she ‘ignored’ when she ‘almost died’
22:10 , Amy-Clare MartinLisa Snowdon has recalled almost dying from meningitis after ignoring symptoms for weeks, and said she still suffers side effects 16 years later.
The DJ and presenter shared her story this week in the wake of an outbreak of meningitis B in Kent that’s dozens in hospital and resulted in the deaths of two students.
Snowdon, 54, contracted a viral strand of the illness in 2010.
Read the full story:
Wes Streeting praises 'Herculean efforts' to protect people from outbreak
21:10 , Amy-Clare MartinHealth Secretary Wes Streeting has praised the “Herculean efforts” to protect people from the Kent meningitis outbreak and care for those affected.
He offered his condolences to the families of the two students who have died in the outbreak and said his thoughts are with those in hospital “fighting this terrible disease”.
He said in the statement on Sunday: “It has been an incredibly difficult week for those affected and for those working on the frontline response to this outbreak.
“As we look ahead to another challenging week, I wanted to pay tribute to the Herculean efforts of everyone who has worked tirelessly to care for those affected and keep people safe.”
Recap: Cases fall after some infections downgraded
20:10 , Amy-Clare MartinThe number of cases of meningitis linked to an outbreak in Kent has dropped as the campaign to vaccinate thousands of young people continues.
Confirmed cases have fallen from 23 to 20, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in an update on Sunday morning, after they were downgraded following further testing.
Meanwhile, suspected cases under investigation have also fallen from 11 to nine, meaning the total number of cases is 29, down from 34 on Saturday.
Nineteen of the 20 confirmed cases are meningitis B and all cases have required hospital admission.
The two students who have died are 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, who was described by her family as “fit, healthy and strong” before her death, and a University of Kent student.
NHS Kent and Medway said more than 9,078 vaccines had been handed out as of Saturday evening while 12,595 antibiotics had been administered.
How to check your meningitis vaccine status amid Kent outbreak
19:10 , Amy-Clare MartinDr Amir Khan explains how to check if you’re protected:
Simple way to check your meningitis vaccine status amid Kent outbreak
WATCH: Kent students receive meningitis B vaccines on fourth day of rollout
18:10 , Amy-Clare MartinUnwitting students recall partying at 'super spreader' event
17:10 , Amy-Clare MartinUnwitting students partied at a British icons themed night at the Canterbury nightclub which has been described as a “super spreader” event.
Hundreds celebrated, including many in fancy dress, at the event at Club Chemistry on 5 March. The venue closed voluntarily on 15 March following news of the meningitis outbreak.
Belle Hamilton, a first-year physiotherapist at neighbouring Canterbury Christ Church University, told the Sunday Times: "It was the best night of clubbing we've had at uni.”
Others recounted widespread vaping, drink-sharing and embracing.
Mia Russell, 20, said she and her friends went there "most weeks" and had been in attendance on both 7 and 14 March.
She told the Sunday Telegraph that the three-storey club had been busy on both nights she attended, with people packed into its small smoking area.
Update: More than 9000 vaccines administered
16:40 , Amy-Clare MartinMore than 9,078 meningitis B vaccines had been administered as of Saturday evening while 12,595 antibiotics had been handed out, NHS Kent and Medway said.
Dr Sherine Thomas, infectious diseases consultant at the UKHSA, said: “It’s reassuring to have seen so many eligible young people come forward for antibiotics and vaccination, and we’d like to thank everyone involved in this effort so far.”
University tries to reassure staff, students and parents
16:10 , Amy-Clare MartinAt Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), which announced one confirmed case of meningitis on Wednesday, held an information session to reassure its staff, according to reports.
Many had been missing from work following the outbreak, with the University and College Union telling its members it would support them if they wanted to work remotely.
Prof Rama Thirunamachandran, the university's vice-chancellor, said the dean of its medical school led an information session for staff on Thursday morning. Only 75 turned up in person to the information session and 750 joined at home. Afterwards, many returned to in-person teaching.
"It's a completely natural instinct, having gone through Covid, to feel anxious about this outbreak,” he told The Observer. “It's incumbent on leaders like me, as well as politicians and public health officials, to explain why it is different."
He said that, unlike Covid, meningitis is a bacterial infection, not a fast-spreading virus, and is passed on through droplets via close contact such as kissing, rather than in the air.
Recap: Meningitis cases have fallen to 29
15:40 , Amy-Clare MartinThe number of cases of meningitis linked to an outbreak in Kent have fallen as a campaign to vaccinate thousands of young people continued into a fourth day.
Confirmed cases have fallen from 23 to 20, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in an update on Sunday morning, after they were downgraded following further testing.
Meanwhile, suspected cases under investigation have also fallen from 11 to nine, meaning the total number of cases is 29, down from 34 on Saturday.
Nineteen of the 20 confirmed cases are meningitis B and all cases have required hospital admission.
Pictured: Fourth day of meningitis B vaccine rollout
15:10 , Amy-Clare Martin
People can deteriorate from meningitis in 'hours, not days'
14:40 , Amy-Clare MartinExperts say the speed of the response meningitis cases and the wider outbreak is crucial.
"It's one of the few diseases where we don't encourage doctors to delay antibiotics while they take samples," Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, told the Sunday Times.
"As soon as you suspect it, you whack in the penicillin, because it is hours, not days, that people can deteriorate."
Meningitis: Key symptoms to look out for
14:10 , Amy-Clare MartinHealth officials have said they are “remaining vigilant” a week after the Kent meningitis outbreak began. The warned it is “really important that people know the symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease”.
Some key symptoms of meningitis and sepsis, according to the NHS, include:
- High temperature
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Muscle and joint pain
- Pale, mottled or blotchy skin
- Spots or a rash
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Sensitivity to bright lights
- Being very sleepy or difficult to wake
- Fits (seizures)
Towie star Jordan Brook battling viral meningitis
13:40 , Amy-Clare MartinJordan Brook has revealed he is battling viral meningitis and encephalitis in an update from his hospital bed.
‘The Only Way is Essex’ star’s case is not connected to the outbreak of meningitis in Kent.
Read the full story:
Towie star Jordan Brook reveals he has meningitis in update from hospital bed
WATCH: 'Sporadic' meningitis clusters could spread outside Kent
13:10 , Amy-Clare MartinKent County Council’s director of public health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, warned on Friday that “small household, sporadic clusters” could appear in other parts of the UK as students who have travelled away from Kent “incubate” the bug.
But he said these would be “containable” and stressed the risk of infection between individuals is low.
Dr Ghosh said it was the “most likely” scenario but outlined two other possibilities: the outbreak remaining contained in Kent, and the “worst-case scenario” – which he said is “highly unlikely” – of another cluster outside Kent.
Wes Streeting issues statement one week after outbreak started
12:40 , Amy-Clare MartinHealth secretary Wes Streeting has paid tribute to healthcare workers battling to contain the outbreak.
In statement, first published in the Sunday Mirror, he said: “As we mark a week since the first confirmed case of the Kent meningitis outbreak, I want to first take a moment to again share my condolences with the families of the two students who tragically died. And my thoughts remain with all those ill in hospital fighting this terrible disease.
“It has been an incredibly difficult week for those affected and for those working on the front line response to this outbreak.“As we look ahead to another challenging week, I wanted to pay tribute to the Herculean efforts of everyone who has worked tirelessly to care for those affected and keep people safe.
“To the UKHSA and other public health officials working to contain the outbreak. The NHS team who stood up a vaccination programme within one day of it being announced, distributed more than 12,000 doses of antibiotics, and those caring for young patients in hospital.
“The school, college and university staff keeping students and parents informed, helping young people through the distress of this outbreak, and keeping their education going. And the thousands of students, pupils, and other members of the public who have so readily and responsibly come forward for antibiotics and vaccination.“I am incredibly grateful to you all. Thank you.”
How many people have been vaccinated?
12:15 , Amy-Clare MartinMore than 8,000 meningitis B vaccines have been handed out so far while 12,157 antibiotics had been administered, NHS Kent and Medway said.
Confirmed cases have fallen from 23 to 20, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in an update on Sunday morning, after they were downgraded following further testing.
Meanwhile, suspected cases under investigation have also fallen from 11 to nine, meaning the total number of cases is 29, down from 34 on Saturday.
Nineteen of the 20 confirmed cases are meningitis B and all cases have required hospital admission.
In pictures: The meningitis outbreak response
11:45 , Amy-Clare Martin
More cases could be downgraded in coming days
11:15 , Amy-Clare MartinThe UKHSA said it expects more cases to be downgraded in the coming days as further laboratory assessments are completed.
The total number of meningitis cases fell from 34 to 29 on Sunday, officials said, after some “confirmed” cases were downgraded following further tests.
'Fit and healthy' girl, 18, died one day after showing meningitis symptoms
10:49 , Amy-Clare MartinThe father of an 18-year-old girl who died after contracting meningitis during the Kent outbreak said "no family should experience this pain and tragedy" as he called for better protection for young people.
Juliette Kenny died on Saturday, 14 March, one day after first showing symptoms including vomiting and discolouration in her cheeks, her father Michael Kenny said.
Mr Kenny added his daughter had been "fit, healthy and strong" before her death, having completed her PE A-level practical assessment on days earlier.
Read the full story:
Family pay tribute to teenager who died after meningitis outbreak
Health officials 'remain vigilant' despite drop in cases
10:15 , Amy-Clare MartinHealth officials have said they “remain vigilant” despite the drop in cases.
Dr Sherine Thomas, infectious diseases consultant at UKHSA, said: “We continue to remain vigilant for new cases and work closely with NHS England and local authorities across the country to ensure that any new cases identified are responded to as quickly as possible.
“It’s reassuring to have seen so many eligible young people come forward for antibiotics and vaccination, and we’d like to thank everyone involved in this effort so far.
“Although the risk to the wider population remains low, it is still really important that people know the symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease and seek immediate medical attention if they or anyone they know develops them. UKHSA continues to work with partners to identify contacts and offer necessary treatment.”
BREAKING: Meningitis cases fall to 29 after some downgraded
10:04 , Amy-Clare MartinThe number of cases of meningitis linked to an outbreak in Kent has decreased after some “confirmed” cases were downgraded following further tests, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
As of 12.30pm on 21 March, the number of confirmed cases was 20 and nine suspected cases remain under investigation, bringing the total to 29. This is down from 34 on Saturday.
The UKHSA said: “Some cases initially classified as confirmed cases have been reclassified following further laboratory results and clinical investigation.
“As further laboratory assessments are completing, we expect some further probable cases to be downgraded in the coming days.”
WATCH: Students queuing for a vaccine at the University of Kent
09:45 , Amy-Clare MartinHundreds had joined the queue before the clinic opened on Saturday:
Student got up at 4am to get vaccine
09:18 , Amy-Clare MartinA University of Kent student has revealed he got up at 4am to join the queue to get the Meningitis B vaccine.
James Thompson, 20, said he felt “complete terror and panic” when news of the outbreak emerged last Sunday.
It has so far affected at least 34 people and killed two, including a student at the university.
Mr Thompson told the BBC he left the university as soon as he could because he "didn't want to be surrounded by the threat of meningitis", before driving back to Canterbury on Saturday to be vaccinated.
"I felt complete terror and panic when the news broke on Sunday, I just wanted to get out of here because I know it's a very fast moving and scary disease," he said.
"Then when the [vaccine] news was released, we planned to get up at 4:00, leave Ipswich and come down to Canterbury. My mum very kindly drove me down.
"I've got a lot more peace of mind and this is the first day when I've not been having to convince myself that I don't have symptoms – it felt like a moment in history."
Meningitis outbreak update expected
08:45 , Amy-Clare MartinA further update is expected from the UKHSA on Sunday morning.
On Saturday, meningitis cases rose to 34 from 29. Some 23 cases have been confirmed and 11 more “remain under investigation”, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
Eighteen of the 23 confirmed cases are meningitis B and all cases have required hospital admission.
More than 8,000 menB vaccines administered
08:26 , Amy-Clare MartinMore than 8,000 meningitis B vaccines have been handed out since the outbreak in Kent while the number of cases is up to 34 from 29.
Hundreds of students and other eligible people queued to receive vaccines and antibiotics on Saturday, and more are expected to be waiting outside the clinics when they reopen on Sunday morning.
NHS Kent and Medway, which is in charge of the rollout, said it moved staff to focus on sites with the longest wait times during the week.
A spokesperson said: “Our teams have been working overtime this weekend and into the evenings during the week to deliver antibiotic and vaccine clinics as fast as possible.”
According to the trust, 8,002 vaccines had been administered and 12,157 antibiotics handed out in Kent by 5.55pm on Saturday.
Wes Streeting pays tribute to healthcare workers battling to contain outbreak
08:13 , Amy-Clare MartinHealth secretary Wes Streeting has paid tribute to the “Herculean efforts” of healthcare teams battling to contain the meningitis outbreak.
Writing in the Sunday Mirror a week after the outbreak began, he expressed his condolences to the family of two students who died and said his thoughts remain with all those in hospital battling the “terrible disease”.
He added: “It has been an incredibly difficult week for those affected and for those working on the response to this outbreak.
“As we look ahead to another challenging week, I wanted to pay tribute to the Herculean efforts of everyone who has worked tirelessly to care for those affected and keep people safe. To the UKHSA and other public health officials working to contain the outbreak.
“To the NHS team who stood up a vaccination programme within one day of it being announced and distributed thousands of doses of antibiotics, and to those caring for young patients in hospital.
“To the school, college and university staff keeping students and parents informed, helping young people through this, and keeping their education going.
“And to the thousands of students, pupils, and other members of the public who have so readily and responsibly come forward for antibiotics and vaccination.
“I am incredibly grateful to you all. Thank you. We urge people in Kent and across the country to keep following the advice, living your lives and looking after one another.”
In brief: Everything you need to know about the meningitis outbreak
07:10 , Amy-Clare Martin- The number of meningitis cases in Kent rose to 34 on Saturday, including 23 confirmed cases and 11 still under investigation, up from a previous total of 29
- Two students have died in the outbreak, including 18-year-old Juliette Kenny and another student from the University of Kent
- Hundreds of students and other eligible individuals queued for a third consecutive day at the University of Kent campus clinic for meningitis vaccinations
- As of Saturday lunchtime, health authorities had administered more than 11,000 doses of antibiotic and more than 7,000 vaccines to help control the outbreak
- Public health officials are urging vigilance for symptoms and reassuring the public that the risk to the wider population remains low, despite warnings of potential small, sporadic clusters appearing elsewhere
Latest: Cases rise as more than 7,000 vaccines administered
06:10 , Amy-Clare MartinThe number of cases linked to the meningitis outbreak in Kent increased to 34 on Saturday, as hundreds of students queued for a third day to get vaccinated.
Some 23 cases have been confirmed alongside a further 11 cases that “remain under investigation”, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. Eighteen of the 23 confirmed cases are meningitis B and all required hospitalisation.
Meanwhile more than 7,000 vaccines had been administered by Saturday afternoon as health officials worked to contain the outbreak.
Read more:
Meningitis cases rise to 34 from 29 as students queue for third day for vaccines
Experts considering expanding menB vaccine availability
05:10 , Amy-Clare MartinExperts are said to be considering expanding the eligibility for the routine meningitis B vaccine following a call for Wes Streeting.
The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) reportedly launched a review following the outbreak in Kent and are thinking about a wider review of eligibility for menB vaccinations, The Guardian reported.
The JCVI has previously said a catch-up campaign for young people who were born before 2015, when the jab was introduced for babies, would not be cost effective.
Towie star Jordan Brook battling viral meningitis
04:10 , Amy-Clare Martin‘The Only Way is Essex’ star’s case is not connected to the outbreak of meningitis in Kent, where cases have now risen to 34.
Read the full story:
Towie star Jordan Brook reveals he has meningitis in update from hospital bed
WATCH: Michael Rosen opens up about son's meningitis death
03:10 , Amy-Clare MartinRecap: Scientists say meningitis strain is not new variant
02:10 , Amy-Clare MartinThe Independent’s health reporter Rebecca Whittaker reports:
Scientists say the meningitis strain is not a new variant and may not have mutated into an “invasive strain”.
Professor Brendan Wren, Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said: “The initial sequence data confirms that it is a single menB strain causing the current cluster of meningitis cases.
“The MenB ST-41/44 clonal complex has been previously identified in the UK and is not a new variant. This suggests that the strain has not mutated into a more invasive strain, but scrutiny of the full genome sequences and further studies will be required to confirm this.
“The current Bexsero MenB vaccine based on the cell surface antigens of MenB strains should provide protection against the MenB ST-41/44 variant.”
Meningitis: Symptoms to look out for
01:10 , Amy-Clare MartinSome key symptoms of meningitis and sepsis, according to the NHS, include:
- High temperature
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Muscle and joint pain
- Pale, mottled or blotchy skin
- Spots or a rash
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Sensitivity to bright lights
- Being very sleepy or difficult to wake
- Fits (seizures)
WATCH: Hundreds queue for a vaccine following deadly menB outbreak
00:10 , Amy-Clare MartinMother backs push for meningitis jab for teenagers after son's menB battle
Saturday 21 March 2026 23:10 , Amy-Clare MartinA mother whose son narrowly survived a severe bout of meningitis B is backing calls for a national vaccination programme targeting teenagers and young adults.
Gaynor Simpson described it as "heart-breaking" and "infuriating" that two young people have died in the Kent outbreak, despite the availability of vaccines.
Her son, Ross, then 18, fell critically ill in February 2023 while studying computing science at the University of Glasgow.
Read the full story:
Mother backs push for meningitis jab for teenagers after son’s near-death battle
Family of girl, 18, who died pay tribute to ‘beautifully positive’ daughter
Saturday 21 March 2026 22:10 , Amy-Clare MartinThe father of an 18-year-old girl who died following a meningitis outbreak in Kent has described his family’s devastation as "immeasurable" as he called for better protection for young people.
Juliette Kenny died on Saturday, 14 March, one day after first showing symptoms including vomiting and discolouration in her cheeks, her father Michael Kenny said.
Mr Kenny added his daughter had been "fit, healthy and strong" before her death, having completed her PE A-level practical assessment days earlier.
Read the full story:
Family pay tribute to teenager who died after meningitis outbreak
Staff working on rotation amid vaccine rollout
Saturday 21 March 2026 21:10 , Amy-Clare MartinNHS Kent and Medway explained it rotated staff to focus on sites which saw the longest wait times for vaccinations during the week.
A spokesperson said: “Our teams have been working overtime this weekend and into the evenings during the week to deliver antibiotic and vaccine clinics as fast as possible.”
According to the trust, 7,060 vaccines had been administered, and 11,662 antibiotics handed out, in Kent as of 2.54pm on Saturday.
Students waiting in the Canterbury site line in the morning stressed the importance of protecting themselves and others.
Maria, 22, who studies drama and theatre, said: “I think it’s important to make sure we protect ourselves because obviously there’s been some deaths and people in hospital.
“I think all of us are quite worried at the moment so it’s better that we all get it.”
More than 11,000 handed antibiotics in Kent amid outbreak
Saturday 21 March 2026 20:10 , Amy-Clare MartinHundreds of students joined queues during a third day of vaccinations at the University of Kent on Saturday.
NHS Kent and Medway said 11,033 antibiotics had been handed out and more than 7,000 vaccines had been administered as of lunchtime on Saturday.
There are currently six clinics across the county providing antibiotics and vaccines for eligible people.
Parts of UK could see ‘sporadic’ but ‘containable’ clusters of meningitis
Saturday 21 March 2026 19:10 , Amy-Clare MartinKent County Council’s director of public health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, warned on Friday that “small household, sporadic clusters” could appear in other parts of the UK as students who have travelled away from Kent “incubate” the bug.
But he said these would be “containable” and stressed the risk of infection between individuals is low.
Dr Ghosh labelled it the “most likely” scenario but outlined two other possibilities – the first being the outbreak remains contained in Kent and the “worst-case scenario”, which he said is “highly unlikely”, of another cluster outside Kent.
Read more:
Meningitis: Parts of UK could see ‘sporadic’ but ‘containable’ clusters
Is there a risk to the wider public?
Saturday 21 March 2026 18:10 , Amy-Clare MartinHealth officials say the risk to the wider population remains low despite the fast-spreading outbreak in Kent.
The meningitis B cases are thought to be linked to a “super spreader” event at a Club Chemistry in Canterbury. Anyone who attended the club between 5 March and 15 March, when the venue closed voluntarily, is now eligible for a vaccine.
Dr Ben Rush, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at UKHSA said: “We continue to remain vigilant for new cases and work closely with NHS England and local authorities across the country to ensure enhanced surveillance is in place. Any new cases will be identified quickly and responded to.
“It’s reassuring to have seen so many eligible young people come forward for antibiotics and vaccination and we’d like to thank everyone involved in this effort so far.
“It’s vital that people are aware of the signs and symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease and seek immediate medical attention if they or anyone they know develops symptoms. The risk to the wider population remains low and UKHSA continues to work with partners to identify contacts and offer necessary treatment.”
Recap: Cases rise to 34 as outbreak continues
Saturday 21 March 2026 17:10 , Amy-Clare MartinThe number of cases linked to the meningitis outbreak in Kent has risen to 34, up from 29 previously, as hundreds of students queued for a third day to get vaccinated.
Some 23 cases have been confirmed alongside a further 11 cases that “remain under investigation”, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in an update on Saturday morning.
Eighteen of the 23 confirmed cases are meningitis B.
Read the full story:
Meningitis cases rise to 34 from 29 as students queue for third day for vaccines
What is Meningitis B?
Saturday 21 March 2026 16:40 , Amy-Clare MartinMeningitis is an infection of the meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Meningitis affects around 2.3 million people globally every year. It’s estimated that up to one in every 10 cases of bacterial meningitis is fatal, according to the NHS.
There are many different causes of meningitis, including viruses, bacteria and fungi. However, in the UK, viruses and bacteria are the most common causes.
Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis. There are five main strains that cause the disease in the UK. MenB is the most common and also the deadliest.
Health officials have said that at least some cases of meningitis seen in Kent have been confirmed as meningitis B.
Early warning signs include a high temperature, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain and stomach cramps. As the condition develops, it can make people drowsy, irritable and confused, as well as cause severe muscle pain, pale, blotchy skin, spots or a rash, stiff neck, an aversion to bright lights and convulsions or seizures.
Meningitis Now urges people not to wait until someone develops a rash and to seek medical help if someone is ill and displaying these symptoms.
WATCH: Towie star reveals he has meningitis in update from hospital bed
Saturday 21 March 2026 15:40 , Amy-Clare MartinThe Only Way is Essex star Jordan Brook has revealed he has been hospitalised with viral meningitis and encephalitis.
The 31-year-old TV star, who is expecting his first child with fellow Towie regular Sophie Kasaei, has said he is receiving around-the-clock care to monitor for any seizures, but said the swelling on his brain had worsened.
His condition is not connected to the outbreak of bacterial meningitis, which has killed two young people in Kent
Read the full story:
Towie star Jordan Brook reveals he has meningitis in update from hospital bed
University of Kent student who survived meningitis infection ‘could not see or talk’
Saturday 21 March 2026 15:27 , Amy-Clare MartinA University of Kent student who survived meningitis has revealed she could not see or talk as she battled the infection.
Law student Annabelle Mackay, 21, initially thought she had contracted Covid-19 when she started feeling unwell, but then her symptoms worsened.
Read the full story:
University of Kent student who survived meningitis infection ‘could not see or talk’
Recap: Meningitis cases rise to 34
Saturday 21 March 2026 15:10 , Amy-Clare MartinThe number of cases linked to the meningitis outbreak in Kent has risen to 34, up from 29 previously, as hundreds of students queued for a third day to get vaccinated.
Some 23 cases have been confirmed alongside a further 11 cases that “remain under investigation”, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in an update on Saturday morning.
Eighteen of the 23 confirmed cases are meningitis B. All cases have required hospital admission.
Two students have died in the outbreak. They are 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, who was described by her family as “fit, healthy and strong” before her death, and a University of Kent student.
TOWIE star reveals he has been diagnosed with viral meningitis
Saturday 21 March 2026 14:40 , Amy-Clare MartinThe Only Way is Essex star Jordan Brook has revealed he is battling viral meningitis and encephalitis.
His case is not understood to be linked to the Kent outbreak, which involves a different strain of meningitis known as MenB.
In a video filmed from his hospital bed, the reality star said: “This is the first time I've really been able to speak strong enough about what's going on.”
Addressing social media speculation about his condition, he continued: “I've been diagnosed with not one but two joining viruses that are attacking a similar part of my body. I have got viral meningitis and encephalitis together. That's the inflammation of the brain and the lining around it.”
The 31-year-old, who is expecting a baby with his girlfriend Sophie Kasaei, added: “My focus right now is simple: I need to get healthy.
“My Sophie's been amazing and she's growing my precious baby boy. I just want to be a young, healthy dad, home for my family, with my baby – that's the goal. This won't beat me.”
Who is eligible for the menB vaccine?
Saturday 21 March 2026 14:10 , Amy-Clare MartinHealth secretary Wes Streeting said the menB jab will be available to anyone who has previously been offered the antibiotics as part of this outbreak.
This includes students at the University of Kent and some students at Canterbury Christchurch University, as well as close contacts of confirmed or suspected cases.
The expansion will also include sixth form pupils at four schools where there are known or suspected cases of menB.
Read the full story:
More than 5,000 people vaccinated so far
Saturday 21 March 2026 13:40 , Amy-Clare MartinNHS Kent and Medway said 5,841 vaccines had been administered, and 11,033 antibiotics handed out, in Kent as of 10.31am on Saturday.
There are currently six clinics across the county providing antibiotics and vaccines for eligible people.
Two students have died in the outbreak. They are 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, who was described by her family as “fit, healthy and strong” before her death, and a University of Kent student.
Outbreak survivor says she's still suffering with after effects of meningitis
Saturday 21 March 2026 13:10 , Amy-Clare MartinA Kent University meningitis survivor has said she feels “so grateful to be alive”, but is still dealing with the after-affect of the illness.
After initially thinking she had Covid, Annabelle Mackay started to become “delirious” and sensitive to light.
The 21-year-old told the BBC she eventually went to A&E, where she temporarily lost her sight and discovered she had meningitis.
She added: “I feel so grateful to be alive and to be here. I'm still dealing with the after effects now, but I think I just need to focus on my recovery and getting better and back to myself.”
Ms Mackay believes she contracted meningitis on 5 March at Club Chemistry, or possibly on an earlier evening when she was out at a different venue.
Recap: Scientists say meningitis strain is not new variant
Saturday 21 March 2026 12:40 , Amy-Clare MartinThe Independent’s health reporter Rebecca Whittaker reports:
Scientists say the meningitis strain is not a new variant and may not have mutated into an “invasive strain”.
Professor Brendan Wren, Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said: “The initial sequence data confirms that it is a single menB strain causing the current cluster of meningitis cases.
“The MenB ST-41/44 clonal complex has been previously identified in the UK and is not a new variant. This suggests that the strain has not mutated into a more invasive strain, but scrutiny of the full genome sequences and further studies will be required to confirm this.
“The current Bexsero MenB vaccine based on the cell surface antigens of MenB strains should provide protection against the MenB ST-41/44 variant.”
In pictures: Hundreds of students queue for vaccine
Saturday 21 March 2026 12:10 , Amy-Clare Martin
What are meningitis B symptoms and how does it spread?
Saturday 21 March 2026 11:40 , Amy-Clare MartinHealth chiefs are investigating 34 cases of meningitis linked to an outbreak in Kent, up from 20 previously, following an “explosive” outbreak that has left two dead.
Hundreds of people who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury on 5, 6 or 7 March have been told to come forward for preventative antibiotic treatment as a “precautionary measure”, while a targeted vaccination drive for students at the University of Kent is being urgently rolled out.
Read more about the symptoms of meningitis and what to do if you suspect you have the infection:
'Worried' students waiting for vaccine want to protect themselves
Saturday 21 March 2026 11:10 , Amy-Clare MartinStudents in the queue to receive the meningitis B vaccine at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus clinic have said they are worried and want to protect themselves.
Maria, who studies drama and theatre, said “I think all of us are quite worried at the moment” to nods of approval from her friends standing close by.
The 22-year-old said: “I think it’s important to make sure we protect ourselves because obviously there’s been some deaths and people in hospital. I think all of us are quite worried at the moment so it’s better that we all get it.”
Another student, Bradley, 20, who studies sport and exercise science, said he had been waiting since before the clinic opened this morning.
He said: “I’m just getting the vaccine, getting it done. Trying to protect myself and people around me.
“I think it’s very important that we all get it done as soon as possible.”
More than 400 people in queue for vaccine at University of Kent by 9am
Saturday 21 March 2026 10:40 , Amy-Clare MartinMore than 400 people were queuing outside the University of Kent campus clinic waiting to receive meningitis B vaccines by the time it opened on Saturday.
The Canterbury site opened at 9am, with students close to the front saying they had been waiting since 7am, and one reportedly claiming to have waited since closer to 5am.
The long, winding queue is mostly made up of young people wearing masks and big coats in preparation for a long wait.
One student said: “To be honest it looks like it was a good job we got here early because the queue is very long now.”
Health officials say risk to wider population remains low as cases rise
Saturday 21 March 2026 10:10 , Amy-Clare MartinHealth officials have insisted the risk to the wider population remains low as the number of meningitis B cases linked to the Kent outbreak continues to rise.
They urged anyone with signs or symptoms of meningococcal disease to seek urgent medical attention.
Dr Ben Rush, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at UKHSA said: “We continue to remain vigilant for new cases and work closely with NHS England and local authorities across the country to ensure enhanced surveillance is in place. Any new cases will be identified quickly and responded to.
“It’s reassuring to have seen so many eligible young people come forward for antibiotics and vaccination and we’d like to thank everyone involved in this effort so far.
“It’s vital that people are aware of the signs and symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease and seek immediate medical attention if they or anyone they know develops symptoms. The risk to the wider population remains low and UKHSA continues to work with partners to identify contacts and offer necessary treatment.”
BREAKING: Five more suspected meningitis cases as outbreak continues
Saturday 21 March 2026 09:49 , Amy-Clare MartinFive more suspected meningitis cases have been identified as the outbreak continues, the UK Health and Security Agency has confirmed.
In an update on Saturday, health officials said the total number of confirmed and suspected cases had increased to 34, up from 29 on Friday.
As of 5pm on Friday, the UKHSA said 23 laboratory cases of meningitis were confirmed, and 11 others remained under investigation.
Kent University menB survivor is 'grateful to be alive'
Saturday 21 March 2026 09:00 , Harriette BoucherA Kent University meningitis survivor has said she feels “so grateful to be alive”, but is still dealing with the after-affect of the illness.
After initially thinking she had Covid, Annabelle Mackay started to become “delirious” and sensitive to light.
The 21 year old told the BBC she eventually went to the A&E, where she temporarily lost her sight, and learnt she had meningitis.
She added: “I feel so grateful to be alive and to be here. I'm still dealing with the aftereffects now, but I think I just need to focus on my recovery and getting better and back to myself.”
Ms Mackay believes she contracted meningitis on 5 March at Club Chemistry, or possibly on an earlier evening when she was out at a different venue.
Experts considering expanding menB vaccine eligibility
Saturday 21 March 2026 08:00 , Harriette BoucherExperts are said to be considering expanding the eligibility for the routine meningitis B vaccine following a call for Wes Streeting.
The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) reportedly launched a review following the outbreak in Kent and are thinking about a wider review of eligibility for menB vaccinations, The Guardian reported.
The JCVI has previously said a catch-up campaign for young people who were born before 2015, when the jab was introduced for babies, would not be cost effective.
Michael Rosen urges parents to check for these meningitis symptoms as he opens up on son's death
Saturday 21 March 2026 07:00 , Harriette BoucherMother's campaign for menB jab catch-up programme gains momentum
Saturday 21 March 2026 06:02 , Harriette BoucherA mother’s campaign for the government to fund a meningitis B vaccination programme for all 16 to 23 year olds has received renewed momentum following the outbreak in Kent.
The petition, launched in October 2024, was created by Marrissa Mullans, whose son Alfie Jake Mullans was 18 when he died of menB in 2023.
Since Tuesday, the petition has gained around 13,000 signatures, bringing it up to more than 57,000.
In her petition calling for the programme, she wrote: “Meningitis stripped us of a bright future that should have been, ruthlessly snatching Alfie away at the tender age of eighteen.”
I am campaigning in Alfie’s memory so that fewer families have to endure this same pain.
“A MenB vaccine exists, but on the NHS it has only been routinely offered to babies born from September 2015. When the MenB programme was introduced, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended routine infant vaccination but did not recommend an adolescent programme, saying it could not support that recommendation because of uncertainty over cost-effectiveness and the risk that it could displace more health benefit elsewhere in the NHS.”
She has also called for the government to run a national awareness campaign for parents and young people to understand that many teenagers and young adults are not protected against menB.
False claims stating the UK may need to go into lockdown circulate social media
Saturday 21 March 2026 05:00 , Harriette BoucherFalse claims that Keir Starmer said the UK may need to go into lockdown if meningitis cases escalate have spread widely across social media.
Posts shared hundreds of times claim the prime minister said: “The UK may need to go into lockdown as early as May if meningitis cases continue to escalate”.
Some posts also include an additional fake quote from the Starmer, in which he said: “I will do whatever it takes to keep the country safe over the election period, even if that means you can’t go outside”.
Number 10 confirmed to Full Fact that Starmer has not made these comments, with the claims appearing to have started from a satirical Facebook page.
Recap: Scientists say meningitis strain is not new variant
Saturday 21 March 2026 04:01 , Harriette BoucherThe Independent’s health reporter Rebecca Whittaker reports:
Scientists say the meningitis strain is not a new variant and may not have mutated into an “invasive strain”.
Professor Brendan Wren, Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said: “The initial sequence data confirms that it is a single menB strain causing the current cluster of meningitis cases.
“The MenB ST-41/44 clonal complex has been previously identified in the UK and is not a new variant. This suggests that the strain has not mutated into a more invasive strain, but scrutiny of the full genome sequences and further studies will be required to confirm this.
“The current Bexsero MenB vaccine based on the cell surface antigens of MenB strains should provide protection against the MenB ST-41/44 variant.”
Kent chief medical officer insists meningitis vaccine 'highly effective'
Saturday 21 March 2026 03:00 , Harriette BoucherWhy the University of Kent meningitis outbreak was years in the making
Saturday 21 March 2026 02:00 , Harriette BoucherTwo young people are dead and 20 are receiving treatment after a meningitis outbreak at the University of Kent. The students caught up in it belong to a generation that has never been routinely vaccinated against the strain responsible.
That is not because a vaccine doesn’t exist. It does. Bexsero, which protects against meningococcal group B disease (the strain responsible for the Kent outbreak) has been available since 2013. The UK even became the first country in the world to add it to its national immunisation schedule, in September 2015.
But only for babies.
Every student at university today was born before July 2015, meaning every one of them missed the cut-off. The NHS never offered them the jab and no catch-up programme was ever provided. A decade of students has passed through higher education with no routine protection against the most common form of bacterial meningitis.
The decision not to extend the programme beyond infants reflects a genuine tension at the heart of vaccine policy. The government’s advisory body, the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) concluded that the benefit, real as it was, did not clear the economic threshold required to justify the cost.
Experts still trying to establish whether bug has become more transmissible
Saturday 21 March 2026 01:01 , Harriette BoucherHealth chiefs have said experts are still trying to work out if the meningitis bug has become more transmissible in the recent cases.
The chief scientific officer of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Professor Robin May, told Times Radio the scale of the current outbreak os “very unusual”.
He said typically the UK sees about one case of meningitis a day on average in the UK.
“This is obviously a much bigger number than that and so there’s something unusual about this outbreak,” he continued. “We are focusing our investigations on two possibilities, which both may be true, or neither.
“So one is that there is something about the particular setting that has enabled this bacteria to spread very well in that particular club setting. We don’t know that, there’s no evidence for that at the moment, but that’s one course of investigation.
“The other possibility is that the bacteria itself has changed in a way that makes it more transmissible, perhaps more likely to cause disease. Many of us carry menB as a bacteria without any problems in the back of our throats all the time. So it could be that this is a bacteria that’s just more likely to progress to disease.
“We don’t know that – we’ve been working, as you can imagine, around the clock since the discovery of this outbreak to try and understand more about it, including doing DNA sequencing, genome sequencing for this strain and that is due back very, very soon. That analysis is extremely complex. The genome for this bacteria is about 100 times bigger than Covid so it’s a lot more complicated.
“So it will take us some time to analyse that, but we are very much focusing our attention on whether anything has changed in the bacteria that might make it more likely to spread or cause disease.”
Asked if such an outbreak could happen again, he said: “Well obviously that’s something we’re very conscious of.”
He said “we’ll be mindful both of the possibility of this particular strain, for example, re-emerging in the future, but also general principles that we’ll learn about the bacteria.
“As with all pathogens, there’s always much more we can learn, and by learning more about how they work, we hope to develop better ways to prevent them causing disease in the future.”
Focus of response is on Kent, health chiefs say
Saturday 21 March 2026 00:00 , Harriette BoucherThe chief scientific officer of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Professor Robin May, told Times Radio the focus was on the immediate response in Kent.
He added: “I would like to just stress, though, that is not a reason for people elsewhere in the country not to continue to be very alert to this.
“This is a very mobile population of students. Really important that if you’re not in the Kent area, but you see signs of this infection, you still seek medical help.
“Essentially, you’re looking for things like a sharp, high fever that comes on rapidly, a red rash that does not fade if you push a glass to it, aversion to bright light, stiff neck.
“And then symptoms that are kind of very flu-like symptoms, often kind of cold feet, clammy feeling, those kind of things.”
He said the “key message” is “don’t delay if you’re showing those kinds of symptoms.”
He added: “Don’t just go to bed and think ‘I’ll wake up tomorrow and see about it’, seek advice first.”
Health chiefs warn deadly meningitis B strain mutation could be fuelling rapid spread
Friday 20 March 2026 23:30 , Harriette BoucherThe Independent’s Health Reporter Rebecca Whittaker reports:
A deadly meningitis B strain may have “evolved” and caused the illness to spread rapidly, health chiefs have warned.
The number of cases of meningitis linked to the outbreak in Kent has risen from 27 to 29, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Thursday. Some 2,360 vaccinations and 9,840 doses of antibiotics have been given to those affected by the outbreak.
But the outbreak in Canterbury is considered to be “very unusual” by scientists, as a meningitis infection is usually an isolated one-off case, with the UK seeing just one case per day on average.
Health officials said samples have been taken from meningitis patients in hospitals to analyse the bacteria in a laboratory. Using genome sequencing, they hope to determine the specific variant of the meningitis B strain.
Professor Robin May, chief scientific officer at the UKHSA, explained it was unusual to see such a large number of cases from one single event.
Health chiefs warn deadly meningitis strain mutation could be fuelling rapid spread
'Too early to say' whether the number of cases have peaked
Friday 20 March 2026 23:00 , Harriette BoucherThe Kent County Council public health director Dr Anjan Ghosh said it is “too early to say” if the number of cases has peaked.
Dr Ghosh said that the data makes it appear cases are going up exponentially, but “it’s not”.
“Hopefully it's starting to slow down. I think until next week, we won't be able to say for sure, the normal sequelae of an outbreak of this sort is about four weeks,” he added.
“That's the timeframe for it to really slow down. So fully expect, in four weeks' time that it slowed down, but we can't say whether it's peaked yet.
“These are all cases which are relating to that same period of time, it's just that the reporting cycle it takes time for them to be reported, it takes time for the incubation period which is quite wide for people to actually start showing symptoms. It's not like it's spreading and more and more people are getting the infection.
“We are looking into secondary infections to make sure that that is not the case and we haven't yet been able to definitively say that's not the case, but for majority it all relates to that same single point in time.”
Health officials have suggested that the “peak” of the outbreak has passed.
Michael Rosen urges parents to check for these meningitis symptoms as he opens up on son's death
Friday 20 March 2026 22:30 , Harriette BoucherMeningitis strain at the centre of Kent outbreak explained
Friday 20 March 2026 22:00 , Harriette BoucherHealth officials have completed an initial genetic analysis of the strain of meningitis at the centre of the deadly outbreak in Kent.
But what is the strain and what does this mean?
Experts considering expanding menB vaccine eligibility
Friday 20 March 2026 21:30 , Harriette BoucherExperts are said to be considering expanding the eligibility for the routine meningitis B vaccine following a call for Wes Streeting.
The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) reportedly launched a review following the outbreak in Kent and are thinking about a wider review of eligibility for menB vaccinations, The Guardian reported.
The JCVI has previously said a catch-up campaign for young people who were born before 2015, when the jab was introduced for babies, would not be cost effective.
Watch: Meningitis B expert answers your questions as Kent outbreak leaves two dead
Friday 20 March 2026 21:00 , Harriette BoucherKent University menB survivor is 'grateful to be alive'
Friday 20 March 2026 20:30 , Harriette BoucherA Kent University meningitis survivor has said she feels “so grateful to be alive”, but is still dealing with the after-affect of the illness.
After initially thinking she had Covid, Annabelle Mackay started to become “delirious” and sensitive to light.
The 21 year old told the BBC she eventually went to the A&E, where she temporarily lost her sight, and learnt she had meningitis.
She added: “I feel so grateful to be alive and to be here. I'm still dealing with the aftereffects now, but I think I just need to focus on my recovery and getting better and back to myself.”
Ms Mackay believes she contracted meningitis on 5 March at Club Chemistry, or possibly on an earlier evening when she was out at a different venue.
Cross-party support for catch-up MenB programmes for students
Friday 20 March 2026 20:05 , Harriette BoucherMore MPs have joined calls to consider a wider rollout of the MenB vaccine and introduce catch-up vaccination programmes for students.
In a cross-party letter to Wes Streeting on Thursday, more than 40 MPs called for the government to work with universities to introduce the programmes for students, saying it is a “tragedy that a vaccine exists but is not routinely offered to this group”.
Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield said on Friday that further MPs had also asked to support the letter.
The health secretary was consulting with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on the issue as well, she said.
How long does the MenB vaccine take to work?
Friday 20 March 2026 19:45 , Harriette BoucherAfter receiving a meningitis B vaccine, there will be some protection after around two weeks.
However, two doses of the vaccine is needed in order to provide full protection.
Bexsero, the vaccine most likely to be used in a targeted programme, covers 80 per cent of all meningitis B strains.
Adam Finn, a professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol, said the vaccine will be “very useful” in reducing the risk of infection over the coming months and years, but “not a significant help during the coming days as this outbreak is brought under control”.
Family of girl, 18, who died after meningitis outbreak pay tribute to ‘beautifully positive’ daughter
Friday 20 March 2026 19:19 , Harriette BoucherThe father of an 18-year-old girl who died following a meningitis outbreak in Kent has described his family’s devastation as "immeasurable" as he called for better protection for young people.
Juliette Kenny died on Saturday, March 14, one day after first showing symptoms including vomiting and discolouration in her cheeks, her father Michael Kenny said.
Mr Kenny added his daughter had been "fit, healthy and strong" before her death, having completed her PE A-level practical assessment on Thursday, March 12.
Juliette, described by her father as having a "beautifully positive energy", is one of two students who have died following the meningitis B outbreak in the county.
Mr Kenny said "no family should experience this pain and tragedy" and that "this can be avoided", adding he wanted his daughter’s legacy to be "lasting change".
Family pay tribute to teenager who died after meningitis outbreak
Watch: Meningitis: ‘Sporadic’ household clusters could appear elsewhere in UK
Friday 20 March 2026 18:45 , Joe MiddletonMother's campaign for menB jab catch-up programme gains momentum
Friday 20 March 2026 18:35 , Harriette BoucherA mother’s campaign for the government to fund a meningitis B vaccination programme for all 16 to 23 year olds has received renewed momentum following the outbreak in Kent.
The petition, launched in October 2024, was created by Marrissa Mullans, whose son Alfie Jake Mullans was 18 when he died of menB in 2023.
Since Tuesday, the petition has gained around 13,000 signatures, bringing it up to more than 57,000.
In her petition calling for the programme, she wrote: “Meningitis stripped us of a bright future that should have been, ruthlessly snatching Alfie away at the tender age of eighteen.”
I am campaigning in Alfie’s memory so that fewer families have to endure this same pain.
“A MenB vaccine exists, but on the NHS it has only been routinely offered to babies born from September 2015. When the MenB programme was introduced, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended routine infant vaccination but did not recommend an adolescent programme, saying it could not support that recommendation because of uncertainty over cost-effectiveness and the risk that it could displace more health benefit elsewhere in the NHS.”
She has also called for the government to run a national awareness campaign for parents and young people to understand that many teenagers and young adults are not protected against menB.
Watch: Michael Rosen urges parents to check for these meningitis symptoms as he opens up on son's death
Friday 20 March 2026 18:15 , Harriette BoucherRecap: MenB outbreak 'seems to be slowing' says top meningitis expert
Friday 20 March 2026 17:55 , Harriette BoucherThe Independent’s health editor Rebecca Thomas reports:
In an update on Friday, the UK Health Security Agency has confirmed the strain of meningitis driving the outbreak, Meningitis B, is covered by the current Bexsero vaccine.
It has published details of the variant of MenB that has been identified for scientists and experts to further study.
Speaking to The Independent, Dr Shamez Ladhani, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist at St George’s Hospital, said: “So there are two theories. One is that it could be more transmissible and jump from person to person very quickly, or it could be more severe.”
However, he said the transmissibility will only be known retrospectively, reflecting on the number of cases.
“There was a big exposure event that happened, and a lot of young adults got sick. It seems to be linked very closely to the nightclub. It seems like they all got exposed, very close to each other, which is why you've had so many cases so close to each other, and now cases have slowed down.
He said: “As it stands, at the moment the risk outside those involved in the Kent outbreak is that baseline…It's unprecedented in terms of the numbers that got sick so quickly but apart from that, it is behaving normally. This is what [meningitis] does.”
In relation to the variant, he said: “It is a variant of one of the common strains, [MenB], but that doesn't have any meaning so far; we don't know what that actually means; it could be nothing. Meningococcal is one of the diseases most genetically able to mutate very quickly.
“That's why it moves very quickly. So it actually has an incredible ability to acquire new genes and transfer new genes. So it's constantly changing itself. Luckily its still preventable by the B vaccine.”
In terms of severity, the outbreak was currently behaving “atypically” as would be expected.
He added, “It's a nasty disease, and it's acting like a nasty disease. This is what it does; there's no evidence that it's more aggressive; it's just a horrible disease.”
False claims the UK may need to go into lockdown circulate social media
Friday 20 March 2026 17:35 , Harriette BoucherFalse claims that Keir Starmer said the UK may need to go into lockdown if meningitis cases escalate have spread widely across social media.
Posts shared hundreds of times claim the prime minister said: “The UK may need to go into lockdown as early as May if meningitis cases continue to escalate”.
Some posts also include an additional fake quote from the Starmer, in which he said: “I will do whatever it takes to keep the country safe over the election period, even if that means you can’t go outside”.
Number 10 confirmed to Full Fact that Starmer has not made these comments, with the claims appearing to have started from a satirical Facebook page.
Meningitis strain at the centre of Kent outbreak explained
Friday 20 March 2026 17:15 , Harriette BoucherHealth officials have completed an initial genetic analysis of the strain of meningitis at the centre of the deadly outbreak in Kent.
But what is the strain and what does this mean?
Frustration after students asked to leave vaccine queues
Friday 20 March 2026 16:54 , Harriette BoucherStudents have expressed their frustration after being asked to leave vaccine queues they waited in for several hours.
Charlie Chevis and Isabelle Annenberg, both 18, joined the queue for a vaccination centre on the University of Kent campus in Canterbury at 11.30am after travelling 45 minutes from Medway.
They were asked to leave at around 3pm and advised to come back on Saturday.
Ms Annenberg said the university had told students the latest time to join the queue was 2pm.
She added: “I had an exam this morning, so we couldn't get here early.
“And then we've both got work over the weekend, so we can't come then.”
They said around 150 people had also been told to leave the queue.
Meningitis outbreak could spread to other parts of UK – here’s why
Friday 20 March 2026 16:32 , Harriette BoucherSporadic household clusters of meningitis could appear over the next four weeks in other parts of the UK linked to the travel of people away from Kent, a health leader has said.
Kent County Council’s director of public health Dr Anjan Ghosh told a briefing three scenarios were being looked at over the next four weeks, with the most likely being that students who have travelled away from Kent will “incubate” the bug and there could be “household” cases elsewhere.
However, he said these would be “containable” and stressed the risk of infection is low.
It comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the number of cases linked to the outbreak has reached 29, up from 27 previously.
Some 18 cases have been confirmed, alongside a further 11 “probable cases” – all with links to Kent, the UKHSA said.
Meningitis: ‘Sporadic’ household clusters could appear elsewhere in UK
Kent chief medical officer insists meningitis vaccine 'highly effective'
Friday 20 March 2026 16:16 , Harriette BoucherNearly 500 made to leave University of Kent vaccine queue
Friday 20 March 2026 15:53 , Harriette BoucherNearly 500 people were made to leave the queue for the meningitis B vaccine on the Canterbury campus of the University of Kent.
A security official at the back of queue said 496 people were left waiting after it was closed off.
Criminology student Molly Howard is the next in line waiting behind the end of the official queue, in the hope that someone drops out.
The 20 year old, who had been queuing for two hours, said: “I’m basically trying my luck, as someone in high-vis said people had dropped out of the queue quite late on Thursday.
“If someone drops out I can take their place.”
Ms Howard had travelled two hours from her home in Folkestone to get the vaccine.
She added: “I got a bit tearful, it's fine. It brings back Covid. This brings everyone's emotions back up.”
More than 4,500 vaccines administered so far
Friday 20 March 2026 15:38 , Harriette BoucherAs of Friday afternoon, NHS Kent and Medway have administered 4,514 vaccines.
The trust said 10,561 antibiotics had also been handed out so far.
Students wait in 'terrible' queue for hours to get vaccine
Friday 20 March 2026 15:19 , Harriette BoucherStudents have been queuing for several hours at the University of Kent’s vaccination site on Friday.
Criminology student Megan said she had been queuing for five hours since around 9.30am.
The 19 year old, who was supposed to be at work, said she “didn't think I would be here this long.”
She said she wanted to get the vaccine as she would be back on campus as she did not want to get ill when she was back on campus in a few weeks.
Creative writing postgraduate student Dylan Al-Kadi, 25, said the queue was “terrible” but he was not leaving it after waiting since 9am.
He said it would have “made life a lot easier for all of us” if the vaccination sites had been split into two.
In pictures: Students queuing to receive vaccines and antibiotics at the University of Kent campus in Canterbury
Friday 20 March 2026 15:03 , Harriette Boucher
Recap: Scientists say meningitis strain is not new variant
Friday 20 March 2026 14:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s health reporter Rebecca Whittaker reports:
Scientists say the meningitis strain is not a new variant and may not have mutated into an “invasive strain”.
Professor Brendan Wren, Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said: “The initial sequence data confirms that it is a single menB strain causing the current cluster of meningitis cases.
“The MenB ST-41/44 clonal complex has been previously identified in the UK and is not a new variant. This suggests that the strain has not mutated into a more invasive strain, but scrutiny of the full genome sequences and further studies will be required to confirm this.
“The current Bexsero MenB vaccine based on the cell surface antigens of MenB strains should provide protection against the MenB ST-41/44 variant.”
Kent meningitis outbreak “very low risk” to Europe, authority says
Friday 20 March 2026 14:01 , Harriette BoucherThe Independent’s health editor Rebecca Thomas reports:
European health authorities have said the current UK outbreak of meningitis is of “very low risk” to the general population in Europe.
In a response published this week, the “The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assesses the risk to the general population in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) related to the outbreak in Kent, England, as very low due to the very small probability of exposure and infection. If a case linked to the outbreak in England is detected in the EU/EEA, control measures should be promptly initiated to identify close contacts and administer antibiotic prophylaxis and meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination.”
However, it advised that clinicians should be aware of the possibility of meningitis in returning travellers and include travel history when assessing invasive meningococcal disease, particularly regarding those who’ve travelled to Kent.
Health chiefs warn deadly meningitis B strain mutation could be fuelling rapid spread
Friday 20 March 2026 14:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneA deadly meningitis B strain may have “evolved” and caused the illness to rapidly spread, health chiefs have warned.
The number of cases of meningitis linked to the outbreak in Kent has risen to 29, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Thursday, up from 27. Some 2,360 vaccinations and 9,840 doses of antibiotics have been given to those affected by the outbreak.
But the outbreak in Canterbury is considered to be “very unusual” by scientists, as a meningitis infection is usually an isolated one-off case, with the UK seeing just one case a day on average.
The Independent’s health reporter Rebecca Whittaker reports:
Health chiefs warn deadly meningitis strain mutation could be fuelling rapid spread
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