What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious illness caused by meningococcal bacteria, which can lead to meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning).

The onset of illness is often sudden, and early diagnosis and treatment are vital.

What are the symptoms to look out for?

Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia can include:

  • a high temperature (fever)
  • being sick
  • a headache
  • a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)
  • a stiff neck
  • a dislike of bright lights
  • drowsiness or unresponsiveness
  • seizures (fits)

Can MenB disease be treated?

Meningitis and septicaemia need urgent admission to hospital and rapid treatment with antibiotics. If treatment is started quickly, then it is much less likely to be life-threatening or cause permanent disability. If you think you or anyone around you has symptoms of meningitis or septicaemia you should trust your instincts and get urgent medical advice by calling NHS 111 or if you are very worried and have the symptoms as above, call 999.

What can you do to protect yourself from meningitis if you’re not eligible for the MenB vaccine?

Meningitis has many causes. If you are not eligible for the MenB vaccine, you should still make sure you are up to date with the MMR and MenACWY vaccines, which help protect against other causes of meningitis.

  • The MenACWY vaccine is offered in school, usually in Year 9. If you have missed the MenACWY vaccine in school, you can get a free catch-up vaccine from your GP surgery up until your 25th

It’s never too late to catch up on the MMR vaccine. Anyone who has missed their MMR vaccines as a child can get a free catch up vaccine at any age from your GP surgery.

What should I do if I am concerned about myself or someone else?

If you or someone you know develops symptoms of meningitis or septicaemia, seek medical help urgently by going to the nearest Accident and Emergency department or calling 999. If someone goes to bed unwell, check on them regularly. Early treatment can be lifesaving. If you’re not sure if your symptoms are serious, use NHS 111 online or call 111 to find out what to do.

What to do if you think your or someone you know has symptoms of meningitis?

The early warning signs of meningitis can be easily confused with other illnesses such as a bad cold, flu or even a hangover. Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis. Trust your instincts and do not wait for all the symptoms to appear or until a rash develops. Someone with meningitis or sepsis can become very unwell very quickly. If you’re not sure if your symptoms are serious, use NHS 111 online or call 111 to find out what to do. If you’ve had medical advice and are still worried or any symptoms get worse, get medical help again.

Am I at risk if I have been vaccinated?

The MenACWY vaccine offers good protection against several strains of meningococcal disease and is routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10.

However, it does not protect against all strains. Other strains, such as MenB, can circulate among young adults. This is why it is important for everyone to know the signs and symptoms regardless of vaccination status.

What is the risk to the wider public?

The public health risk to the wider population remains low. UKHSA will continue to monitor the situation.

Why don’t you routinely offer a MenB vaccine to teenagers and young adults?

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) makes decisions on vaccination programmes following careful consideration of independent expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI does not currently recommend a routine MenB booster vaccination but is currently reviewing their advice following the outbreak in Kent.

What sort of factors does the JCVI consider?

As set out in its Code of Practice, the JCVI is required to consider all the evidence, including case data, vaccine effectiveness, safety and population impact, as well as demonstrating that the vaccine is cost effective before they advise the Government, who make the decision.

As set out in its Code of Practice, the JCVI is required to consider all the evidence, including case data, vaccine effectiveness, safety and population impact, as well as demonstrating that the vaccine is cost effective before they advise the Government, who make the decision. Currently, there is no plan to change the MenB programme beyond infants at highest risk, but the Committee continues to review any new evidence on meningococcal disease and vaccines as it emerges.

See also:

  • The MenB vaccine has been thoroughly tested and meets strict safety criteria. It has been routinely used in the infant vaccination programme in the UK since 2015 and has led to 75% reduction in MenB disease in vaccinated groups. The MenB vaccine has a good safety profile.

How is meningococcal disease spread?

Transmission of MenB requires close and prolonged contact to spread including living in the same household and intimate contact such as kissing. The bacteria are not as contagious as other infections such as measles and COVID.

Are majority of cases still in Weymouth? Have they spread nationally/internationally?

All confirmed cases identified to date are epidemiologically linked to Weymouth.

Is there enough MenB vaccine available for target vaccination announced by the minister?

Yes. There are sufficient MenB vaccine stocks. We will work with local resilience partners to ensure effective distribution.

Could this be a new or more dangerous strain than those previously seen in the UK?

This is a common Men B strain. It is important to be aware that this outbreak is not on the same scale as we saw in Kent in terms of speed of transmission or severity.

Is the strain resistant to antibiotics?

For the treatment of MenB in adults, prompt intervention with antibiotics is critical. There is currently no suggestion of resistance to antibiotics for this strain.

Has the bacteria evolved to become better at transmitting?

UKHSA and partners continue to conduct studies and research to understand more about meningococcal disease and how it’s behaving. The MenB strain detected for this outbreak is a common strain and it is important to be aware that this outbreak is not on the same scale as we saw in Kent in terms of speed of transmission or severity.

Are there any restrictions being placed on gatherings or social events?

UKHSA has not issued advice to cancel any events. Transmission of MenB requires close and prolonged contact to spread such as living in the same household or intimate contact such as kissing. The bacteria is not as contagious as infections such as measles and COVID.

Would you advise people to pay for a vaccine now?

The risk of infection to the wider population remains low and the wider offer of antibiotics and vaccination is precautionary.

The MenB vaccine can be accessed privately through high street pharmacies, private GP providers and travel clinics. For those aged over 2 years, the vaccination course consists of 2 doses.

UKHSA is working with vaccine manufacturers to ensure stock is available on the private market.

Are we worried about antibiotic resistance developing if too many people access antibiotics?

Decisions around antibiotic use must always take into account the potential risk of driving antimicrobial resistance if these medications are used in an inappropriate way. The groups that have been identified as eligible for antibiotic chemoprophylaxis have been identified following careful risk assessment and, at this time, we do not recommend antibiotics to be prescribed as chemoprophylaxis to people outside these groups.

Where can I find further information and support?

NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis

Meningitis Research Foundation: www.meningitis.org | 0808 800 3344 (24 hours)

Meningitis Now: www.meningitisnow.org | 0808 80 10 388 (9am–8pm)