UKHSA is continuing to work with Dorset Council, NHS and local partners to support the roll out of antibiotics and vaccination to young people in Weymouth, Dorset after three cases of MenB were confirmed in the area. As of 8pm on 19th April, more than 1800 pupils at Budmouth Academy and Wey Valley Academy have been given antibiotics, out of a total of 2500 students offered them at these schools.
All three cases have now been discharged from hospital and there are no further suspected or confirmed cases to date.
In total, 6500 young people in years 7-13 (or equivalent) across Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell will be offered both antibiotics and vaccination as a precautionary measure. From today, further rollout continues with students attending All Saints Academy to be offered antibiotics as a precaution.
For anyone eligible but not in full-time education in Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell, they can access antibiotics from Tuesday afternoon at All Saints Academy. Parents should make sure they have signed the consent form ahead of attending the clinics.
Dr Beth Smout, UKHSA Deputy Director, said:
“We are really pleased to see such high uptake of the antibiotic offer over the weekend. Antibiotics are the best course of action if there is a chance you have been exposed to meningococcal bacteria, with MenB vaccination offering longer term protection against becoming seriously ill.
“Thanks to the swift action from local partners and NHS staff, over 6500 young people in the area will be able to access antibiotics, with vaccination to follow in the coming weeks.
“Thankfully we have seen no further cases of meningitis, but it’s still important to recognise the signs and symptoms. Symptoms can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet. Septicaemia can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass. If the disease is suspected, you should seek immediate medical attention as the disease can progress rapidly.”
Dawn Dawson, Chief Nursing Officer of Dorset HealthCare and Dorset County Hospital said:
“I’d like to thank all of the families, NHS colleagues and all partners who have worked so hard to help us to deliver the antibiotics to the children and young people of Weymouth at such speed over the weekend.
It has been an amazing multi-agency response and we continue to work together to make sure that antibiotics and vaccinations reach the remainer of the children and young people in the eligible population this week.”
Vaccination clinics
Antibiotics and vaccinations will be offered:
Tuesday 21 April
09:00–16:00: Budmouth Academy, Chickerell Rd, Weymouth DT4 9SY
Clinic for eligible young people educated outside Weymouth/Chickerell/Portland
16:00–20:00: All Saints Church of England Academy, Sunnyside Road, Weymouth DT4 9BJ
Wednesday 22 April
09:00–16:00: Wey Valley Academy, 436 Dorchester Rd, Weymouth DT3 5AN
16:00–20:00: All Saints, Sunnyside Road, Weymouth DT4 9BJ (home-educated, NEET, catch-up)
Friday 24 April
09:00–16:00: Coastland College, Cranford Avenue, Weymouth DT4 7LQ
09:00–16:00: Kingston Maurward, Kingston Maurward, Dorchester DT2 8PY
16:00–20:00: All Saints (catch-up clinic)
