Update on Meningitis Outbreak
For Information Only
Update on Meningitis outbreak in Kent and latest guidance
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS are coordinating the health response to a number of cases of invasive meningococcal disease in the Kent area.
A range of communications resources have been shared with partners:
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You can read more on the cases in UKHSA’s media statement: Cases of invasive meningococcal disease confirmed in Kent – GOV.UK
This same link will be updated with any further news updates. -
Blog on meningitis: What is meningitis? Symptoms, risks and how to protect yourself – UK Health Security Agency
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A vaccine communications toolkit for university students and a meningitis and septicaemia signs and symptoms asset has also been developed, co-badged with Meningitis Now.
Clinicians should clinically assess any unwell person who reports being a close contact of a case of meningococcal disease. The public health guidance for meningococcal disease is available online.
Please visit the Hub for further information and resources.
Enabling prospective record access for those attempting to view immunisations via the NHS App
We are aware that some of the national media coverage around the meningitis outbreak is advising people to check their vaccination status via the NHS App.
We are therefore sharing guidance for GP practices on how to enable full clinical record prospective access to online services for patients who may attempt to check their immunisation status via the NHS App.
Please note: you can enable record access as a bulk action for up to 5000 patients.
Where can I get the latest updates?
We will continue to update the page on the Hub with further information as and when we are alerted to anything new, so please do keep checking back for the latest updates.
The UKHSA’s media statement will also be updated with any further news updates via this link: Cases of invasive meningococcal disease confirmed in Kent – GOV.UK.
