More meningitis vaccines to be made available amid outbreak

Mr Streeting said more would get protection against meningitis B, which has been the strain affecting those who fell ill after visiting Club Chemistry in Canterbury.

He said anyone who attended the club from March 5 until it closed (March 14) would be offered the jab, alongside sixth-formers at four schools and more university students in Canterbury.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that as of 5pm on Wednesday, 15 cases of meningitis have been confirmed and a further 12 are under investigation.

What is meningitis? The key symptoms to look out for

This takes the total to 27 cases of either confirmed or suspected meningitis, up from 20 on Wednesday. Two students have died in the outbreak.

Currently, nine of the 15 confirmed cases are known to be caused by menB.

On a visit to the University of Kent, Mr Streeting said: “We are now encouraging anyone who attended Club Chemistry from March 5 until it voluntarily closed to come forward for both antibiotics and vaccination.

“Furthermore, we’re expanding vaccination to anyone who’s previously been offered the prophylactic antibiotic.

“That will include a large number of students here at the University of Kent.

“And it will include some students at Canterbury Christchurch University.

“It will also includes sixth-formers at four schools where there are known or suspected cases.

“These are proportionate steps to help us contain spread and we’re keeping that situation under review.”

How to check your vaccination record on the NHS app

• Go to The NHS App
• Open the GP Health Record tab – read and click through the security warning
• Open the Immunisations tab
• Scroll down through your list of vaccines and related information

If you do not see a meningitis vaccination, that does not mean you have not already had one. There are a number of reasons why the NHS app may not have all your immunisations records, including:

• Old records – vaccinations from many years ago may not be recorded on the app
• Overseas jabs – vaccinations received abroad are not automatically added to the app
• GP record gap – if your doctor has not updated their records, there will be a gap in the app
• Access rights – you may need to ask your GP to enable your ‘detailed coded record’

Your GP or a pharmacist will be able to see your full NHS Summary Care Records (SCR), so if in doubt speak to one of them.

Meningitis symptoms

• a high temperature
• cold hands and feet
• vomiting
• confusion
• breathing quickly
• muscle and joint pain
• pale, mottled or blotchy skin (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
• spots or a rash (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
• headache
• a stiff neck
• a dislike of bright lights
• being very sleepy or difficult to wake
• fits (seizures)

And in babies:

• refuse feeds
• be irritable
• have a high-pitched cry
• have a stiff body or be floppy or unresponsive
• have a bulging soft spot on the top of their head

Different types of meningitis 

Viral

• Viral meningitis is the most common form. It is rarely life-threatening but can still cause serious illness. It tends to resolve on its own, though can leave infected feeling very unwell during recovery.
• Mollaret's meningitis is a rare and recurring form of the disease. Mollaret's is a chronic condition, most often linked to infection with the Herpes Simplex virus type 2. 

Bacterial

• Bacterial meningitis is a serious and fast-moving condition that requires urgent hospital admission and prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent life-threatening complications.
• Meningococcal disease. This term covers two major illnesses, meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), which can occur independently but more often together, making it especially dangerous.
• Pneumococcal meningitis is a life-threatening infection that causes inflammation of the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord, it requires swift medical intervention.
• TB meningitis is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. This form of the disease is linked to tuberculosis and can be difficult to diagnose due to its gradual onset.
• Group B streptococcal (GBS) meningitis is the leading cause of meningitis in babies, and can cause septicaemia and pneumonia, making it a significant concern in newborns.
• Neonatal meningitis affects newborns and is divided into "early onset" and "late onset", depending on how soon after birth the condition develops.
• E. coli meningitis is the second most common bacterial cause of meningitis in newborns. E. coli meningitis is a serious condition primarily affecting the very young.
• Hib meningitis is like pneumococcal meningitis, and is a life-threatening disease causing inflammation around the brain and spinal cord - though it has become much less common due to vaccination.
• Listeria meningitis is caused by Listeria bacteria found in certain foods like unpasteurised soft cheeses, pâté, and shellfish. This form can lead to potentially fatal complications.

Other 

• Fungal meningitis is a very rare form of the disease and shares similar symptoms but typically develops more gradually rather than suddenly.
• Chemical meningitis is unlike most other forms because it is not caused by an infection. Instead, it is triggered by exposure to a particular substance or chemical that causes inflammation.
• Parasitic meningitis is extremely rare and occurs when certain parasites infect and inflame the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• Cryptococcal meningitis is caused by a fungus found in soil and bird droppings, and is most commonly seen in people with weakened immune systems.
• Non-infectious meningitis. Not all meningitis is the result of an infection; this variety is triggered by non-infectious causes like certain medications or other medical conditions.
• Malignant/carcinomatous meningitis is a serious condition when cancer cells spread to the meninges. It is associated with advanced cancer and presents significant treatment challenges.