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We understand that many families and young people may be feeling worried following recent news about meningococcal disease affecting students locally. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.
Although this news is understandably concerning, the risk to the wider public remains low. Meningococcal infection usually requires close or prolonged contact to spread, and specialist public health teams are contacting anyone who may need further advice or treatment.
What should I do?
If you have been contacted directly by UKHSA or your school/college
Please follow the advice you have been given.
Some identified close contacts may be advised to take a preventative antibiotic. A small number of students may also have been invited to obtain antibiotics through their GP surgery.
If you have received a letter advising antibiotic treatment, please contact the surgery.
If you have NOT been contacted
You do not need antibiotics routinely.
At the present time, preventative antibiotics are only recommended for people identified by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) as close contacts.
Vaccination information
Many parents have understandably asked about meningitis vaccines.
There is currently no wider vaccination programme being advised for this local situation.
However, routine NHS meningitis vaccinations remain very important:
- MenACWY vaccine — routinely offered to teenagers and available up to age 25 if previously missed.
- MenB vaccine — routinely offered to babies born on or after 1 May 2015.
These vaccines provide important protection against several serious strains of meningococcal disease, although they do not protect against every type.
If you are unsure whether your child’s vaccinations are up to date, you can:
- check their Red Book
- use the NHS App
- contact the surgery
Symptoms to look out for
Meningococcal disease can become serious quickly, so it is important to know the symptoms.
Symptoms may include:
- high temperature
- severe headache
- vomiting
- stiff neck
- sensitivity to bright lights
- drowsiness or confusion
- cold hands and feet
- pale, mottled or blotchy skin
- muscle or joint pain
- rash or bruising rash
- seizures or fits
Symptoms can appear in any order, and not everyone develops a rash.
When should I seek help?
Call 999 or attend A&E urgently if someone:
- is difficult to wake
- becomes confused or unresponsive
- has a seizure
- develops breathing difficulties
- becomes rapidly more unwell
- develops a rash that does not fade under pressure
Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:
- you are worried about possible symptoms
- symptoms are worsening
- you are unsure what to do
Trust your instincts — parents and carers often notice when someone is becoming seriously unwell.
Further information
