Health secretary Wes Streeting has described the outbreak of the disease in Canterbury<\/a> as unprecedented and warned it was a rapidly developing situation. <\/p>\n The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced a targeted vaccination programme for students living at halls of residence at the University of Kent, and 700 doses of antibiotics have been given out. <\/p>\n The agency confirmed on Tuesday morning that 15 cases of meningitis<\/a> had been recorded, two more than Monday, and all those affected were being treated in hospital. <\/p>\n Dane Court Grammar School in Broadstairs said a meningitis case was under investigation but had not been confirmed.<\/p>\n Experts have described the outbreak as unusual, after the strain in some cases was confirmed as Meningitis B.<\/p>\n An 18-year-old pupil called Juliette<\/a> and a 21-year-old university student, not publicly identified have already died of it.<\/p>\n Concerns are growing in the region after the five schools, as well as the university, confirmed cases.<\/p>\n The father of Juliette, who was a sixth-form student at Queen Elizabeth\u2019s Grammar School in Faversham, said their family were \u201cbeyond devastated\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/a>‘Super-spreader’ event blamed for infections<\/p>\n Experts say they are dealing with a “super-spreader” event and that many of those affected attended Club Chemistry in Canterbury over 5-7 March.<\/p>\n The infection has also spread through the halls of residence at the university and parties attended by students.<\/p>\n The UKHSA said all 15 cases had required hospital admission, four of them confirmed to have menB.<\/p>\n Jane Dalton17 March 2026 19:55<\/p>\n <\/a>Mapped: Meningitis B vaccination rates in your area revealed as demand for jab surges<\/p>\n Harriette Boucher17 March 2026 19:00<\/p>\n <\/a>Badenoch describes meningitis outbreak as ‘really, really troubling’ <\/p>\n Kemi Badenoch has called the meningitis outbreak in Kent \u201creally, really troubling\u201d.<\/p>\n The Conservative leader told BBC South East that her \u201cheart goes out\u201d to the families of those people who have lost their lives.<\/p>\n She said when she was studying at university, a student died from meningitis, which came as \u201ca huge shock\u201d, so she thinks the outbreak must be \u201cdeeply tragic and disturbing for so many of the people that are affected.<\/p>\n \u201cMy plea is for people to check themselves as soon as they have the slightest symptoms and also for everyone to make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations.\u201d<\/p>\n Harriette Boucher17 March 2026 18:45<\/p>\n <\/a>Meningitis B outbreak: Queues of students outside University of Kent to receive antibioticsMeningitis B outbreak: Queues of students outside University of Kent to receive antibiotics<\/p>\n Harriette Boucher17 March 2026 18:30<\/p>\n <\/a>What is meningitis B? Symptoms, vaccine and what to avoid after two die in Kent<\/p>\n Some of the cases have been confirmed as meningitis B. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which is investigating the outbreak, said it would confirm the strain seen in other cases \u201cwhen we have the full results\u201d.<\/p>\n The majority of young people born before 2015 are not protected against meningitis B, also known as menB, unless they have had the jab privately, with it only introduced on the NHS for babies in 2015.<\/p>\n 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 \u201cprecautionary measure\u201d.<\/p>\n People are being advised to be vigilant for symptoms amid a warning that university students<\/a> are particularly susceptible to the deadly infection. <\/p>\n Harriette Boucher17 March 2026 18:15<\/p>\n <\/a>Pharmacies see surge in vaccine requests for menB<\/p>\n A number of pharmacies offer the menB vaccine, including Superdrug, where it is available for children from the age of two months and adults aged up to 50.<\/p>\n A course of two to three doses is recommended, priced at \u00a3110 per dose.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Superdrug told PA: \u201cAt Superdrug, bookings at our nurse clinics for our meningitis service this week have surged to 65 times the level seen last week.\u201d<\/p>\n At Boots, the vaccination service is for adults and children aged two and over costing \u00a3220 for two doses.<\/p>\n At Well Pharmacy, the vaccine is available for children from the age of two months and adults aged up to 50.<\/p>\n The course includes two to three doses, depending on age, at \u00a3110 each.<\/p>\n Asda also launched a meningitis vaccine service last year, with a full menB course available for \u00a3179.76.<\/p>\n Appointment availability varies across the country as of 11.30 on March 17.<\/p>\n There were appointments available at Boots in major cities including London, but there are none currently available at the Boots store in Canterbury.<\/p>\n Holly Evans17 March 2026 18:00<\/p>\n <\/a>What should you do if a friend shows symptoms? <\/p>\n If you notice a friend exhibiting any concerning signs \u2013 especially rapid worsening over hours \u2013 take them seriously. Public health advice is clear: if symptoms are worrying or escalating, seek medical help immediately. In the UK, that means contacting NHS 111 for advice, or calling 999 if they are seriously unwell.<\/p>\n Check on your friend regularly, don\u2019t dismiss symptoms as \u201cjust a hangover\u201d and err on the side of urgency when in doubt. Early treatment with antibiotics can be lifesaving.<\/p>\n Holly Evans17 March 2026 17:35<\/p>\n <\/a>Why meningitis outbreaks happen at universities<\/p>\n Meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. Although many people can carry the bacteria harmlessly in their nose or throat, very occasionally it invades the bloodstream or central nervous system and causes life-threatening illness. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord.<\/p>\n Meningococcal disease spreads through close contact with respiratory droplets. This could be through kissing, sharing drinks or utensils, and coughing and sneezing. This is what makes the risk higher in settings where people live, study and socialise closely together, such as university campuses.<\/p>\n Outbreaks such as the recent one in Kent, especially in communal settings like universities or schools, are less common than individual sporadic cases. While the overall risk remains low, the proportion of cases among young adults and students is higher than in older age groups simply because of the social mixing and living arrangements typical of school and university life.<\/p>\n Holly Evans17 March 2026 17:15<\/p>\n <\/a>How students in the UK can reduce their risk<\/p>\n Holly Evans17 March 2026 16:50<\/p>\n <\/a>Covid masks and an eerily silent campus: Inside Kent\u2019s \u2018worrying\u2019 meningitis B outbreak<\/p>\n The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed on Tuesday that the strain of meningitis B, known as MenB<\/a>, is behind at least four of the cases in the outbreak. The university called the situation \u201cvery sad and worrying\u201d.<\/p>\n By 9am, dozens of students were waiting to collect the medicine and the mood in the queue was an anxious one.<\/p>\n Those waiting stood well apart and wore face masks not seen en masse since the Covid pandemic. Those without masks fashioned face coverings with scarves and jumpers. Few were talking.<\/p>\n It is exam season at the university but assessments have been moved online since the outbreak. The student union\u2019s St Patrick\u2019s Day party had also been cancelled, so the only real footfall on campus was those collecting their antibiotics.<\/p>\n Among them was Harvey Bennett, a 21-year-old cell biology master\u2019s student from Deal.<\/p>\n![\"Superdrug](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/iStock-1397059595.jpeg\")
Superdrug have seen a surge of 65 times the levels seen last week for the menB vaccine (Getty\/iStock)<\/p>\n![\"Students](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/befbea315521c6f63fc4c8dbf65a755fY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzczODQyMjY1-2.83912039.jpg\")
Students queuing for antibiotics outside a building at the University of Kent (Gareth Fuller\/PA) (PA Wire)<\/p>\n