In response to recent meningitis B outbreaks, health authorities are considering offering a vaccine to 15-year-olds.
Following a tragic incident in Kent that claimed the lives of two teenagers earlier this year, health officials are recommending catch-up vaccination programs.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is proposing an expanded vaccination initiative after a successful one-time vaccination campaign for university students. The government will now review this proposal.
Chair of JCVI, Prof Wei Shen Lim, stated, “We have submitted a recommendation to the government for the implementation of a routine MenB vaccination program targeting adolescents around the age of 15.”
Lim emphasized the severity of invasive meningococcal disease, highlighting its potential devastating consequences on individuals’ lives.
The JCVI is advocating for:
Meningococcal B poses significant health risks, including serious conditions such as brain lining inflammation and sepsis, which can result in life-altering disabilities or even death.
The disease-causing bacteria can be transmitted through close contact with an infected individual, such as kissing, sharing beverages, or residing in communal living spaces.
In response to the tragic death of 18-year-old Juliette Kenny in the Kent outbreak, her family has been advocating for broader access to the menB vaccine for teenagers and young adults.
The Kent outbreak, the largest in the UK, has prompted calls for preventive vaccination measures as additional clusters of meningitis cases among youth have been reported.
Currently, one million young individuals in England are eligible for a one-time MenB vaccine. This initiative targets all 17 and 18-year-olds in their final year of sixth form and students under 25 entering residential colleges or universities in the upcoming autumn.
Prof Shen Lim urged eligible individuals to schedule appointments for the two-dose MenB vaccine regimen before commencing university or college. The second dose should be received at least 28 days after the first for optimal protection.