UK to offer vaccine to school leavers and university entrants

A healthcare worker administers a vaccine to a student/ File: ITVX

According to The Guardian, the one-off vaccination campaign is set to begin in late July following an unprecedented meningitis B outbreak in Kent and additional clusters of cases in Dorset and Berkshire earlier this year. Together, the outbreaks resulted in three deaths and raised concerns among public health officials. The vaccine, Bexsero, will be offered to all young people born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, as well as first-time university students and some young people entering residential further education settings this autumn. Eligible individuals will receive two doses at least 28 days apart.

Health authorities say the vaccine protects against most strains of meningitis B bacteria and is expected to provide protection for at least six years. Those eligible will be contacted through the NHS app, text messages and email, while first-time university students under 25 will also be able to book appointments through participating pharmacies. Meningitis B bacteria can live harmlessly in the nose and throat, but in some cases can cause serious infections, including meningitis and blood poisoning. According to the NHS, around one in ten cases of bacterial meningitis is fatal, while survivors may suffer long-term complications such as hearing loss or epilepsy.

Teenagers and young adults are among the groups most at risk, particularly those moving into shared accommodation and expanding their social networks at university, where the bacteria can spread more easily. The emergency programme is expected to cover around one million young people. Public health experts say the measure targets those at the highest risk while discussions continue over whether the meningitis B vaccine should become part of the routine vaccination programme for older children and young adults.