Second vaccine offered after meningitis B outbreak

The NHS is to offer a second dose of the vaccine against meningitis B following a fatal outbreak in Kent during March.

The incident saw 20 confirmed cases in total and claimed the lives of sixth-form pupil Juliette Kenny, 18, and a 21-year-old student from the University of Kent, who has not been named.

All of those who contracted the disease needed hospital treatment, with nine ending up in intensive care.

Clinics opened in Canterbury, Ashford, Faversham and Margate on Friday after an initial round of jabs last month saw huge queues of students form, with some having to be turned away due to high demand.

There are almost 12,000 people eligible for the second vaccine in Kent and booking for the clinics is online, in the hope of avoiding the delays seen previously.

A total of 900 people reserved a slot at the clinic at the university sports centre on Friday.

The NHS said a second vaccination offered the "best possible protection against meningitis B".

It added: "Anyone who had a first dose - including students and staff from the university, and people who had attended the Club Chemistry nightclub linked to the outbreak - are being invited to undergo a second.

"Pupils from years 11, 12 and 13 at four schools where there were confirmed or probable cases will be offered the jab at school."

Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Kent Prof Georgina Randsley de Moura said there had been "a great uptake for vaccines" and they were "continuing to look out for each other with wellbeing and specialist support in place".

She added: "As we look ahead to the term, we do so while holding the student we lost in our thoughts and continuing to support one another as a community."

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.