- If you or someone you know has symptoms of meningitis Call 999.
Read more about meningitis symptoms at http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis.
- If you do not have symptoms but think you have been in contact with a confirmed case, call the UKHSA helpline on 0344 225 3861. It is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- If you are in any of the following 'high risk contact groups' contact your registered GP practice (or 111 out of hours) to obtain cautionary (prophylactic) antibiotics:
All students who live on Canterbury campus
All staff who live or work in affected Halls of Residence
Anyone who attended Club Chemistry on 5th, 6th and 7th March
Close contacts who have been identified by UKHSA
- The following groups are eligible for NHS vaccination against meningitis B:
Children born after May1st 2015 receive 3 meningitis B vaccine doses at aged 8weeks+12weeks+12months old.
You can check the NHS app to see if your child received the full course.
People born before May 1st 2015 are NOT eligible on the NHS currently.
If you believe their course to be incomplete contact the surgery to arrange catch-up doses
Read more here: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/menb-vaccine-for-children/.
- The following groups are eligible for NHS vaccination against meningitis A,C,W,Y
NOTE this is a different meningitis type to the strain causing the current outbreak
Since 2015 children aged 13/14 (year 9) have been offered this vaccine
It can be given up until a person reaches 25yo
People 25years old and older are NOT eligible on the NHS currently
You can check the NHS app to see if your child received the full course.
If you believe your or your child's course to be incomplete contact the surgery to arrange catch-up doses
If you want further information on this topic please contact the UKHSA helpline on 0344 225 3861.