Meningitis outbreak LIVE: Vaccine message sent to Brits as symptoms warning issued in Kent | UK | News

A meningitis outbreak in Kent has led to two deaths, with the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) confirming 13 cases in the Canterbury region from Friday to Sunday.

UKHSA has instructed more than 30,000 people in the area to look out for symptoms such as rash, fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea and muscle pain.

There are currently two meningitis vaccines available in the UK for babies and young people, but the MenB vaccine is not available for young people.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Association of Independent Pharmacists, called: “Although the majority of young children have received the MenB vaccine as part of childhood immunization since 2015, many teenagers and young adults will not receive this vital protection.

“The NHS needs to urgently engage pharmacies to deliver an urgent catch-up program targeting university students and young people born before 2015.”