Cases rise again as 8,000 vaccines given out after students queue for third day

Experts warned a wave of secondary cases may be yet to come
The number of cases linked to a meningitis outbreak in Kent has fallen after a number of infections were downgraded after testing.

The UK Health and Security Agency said the total number of confirmed and suspected cases was now 29, down from 34 on Saturday.

Hundreds of students at the University of Kent joined queues to be vaccinated for the third day, after two people died from the disease.

By 5.55pm, at total of 8,002 vaccines had been administered and 12,157 antibiotics handed out, NHS Kent and Medway said.

Health chiefs have suggested the peak of the outbreak, described as “unprecedented” because of the large number of cases linked to a “superspreader” event at a Canterbury nightclub, has passed, but said cases may continue to rise in the coming days.

However they warned “sporadic household cases” of meningitis B could spread outside the epicentre of the outbreak in Kent.

On Friday, Dr Anjan Ghosh, Kent County Council's public health director, said it was most likely that it would be contained in Kent with a few additional cases outside of the county, “which can be easily contained”.

Officials said secondary cases could involve people who were not infected at the nightclub, but caught the illness from someone who was there.

BREAKING: Meningitis cases fall to 29 after some downgraded
The number of cases of meningitis linked to an outbreak in Kent has decreased after some “confirmed” cases were downgraded following further tests, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

As of 12.30pm on 21 March, the number of confirmed cases was 20 and nine suspected cases remain under investigation, bringing the total to 29.

This is down from 34 on Saturday.

The UKHSA said: “Some cases initially classified as confirmed cases have been reclassified following further laboratory results and clinical investigation.

“As further laboratory assessments are completing, we expect some further probable cases to be downgraded in the coming days.”
WATCH: Students queuing for a vaccine at the University of Kent
Hundreds had joined the queue before the clinic opened on Saturday:
Student got up at 4am to get vaccine
A University of Kent student has revealed he got up at 4am to join the queue to get the Meningitis B vaccine.

James Thompson, 20, said he felt “complete terror and panic” when news of the outbreak emerged last Sunday.

It has so far affected at least 34 people and killed two, including a student at the university.

Mr Thompson told the BBC he left the university as soon as he could because he "didn't want to be surrounded by the threat of meningitis", before driving back to Canterbury on Saturday to be vaccinated.

"I felt complete terror and panic when the news broke on Sunday, I just wanted to get out of here because I know it's a very fast moving and scary disease," he said.

"Then when the [vaccine] news was released, we planned to get up at 4:00, leave Ipswich and come down to Canterbury.

My mum very kindly drove me down.

"I've got a lot more peace of mind and this is the first day when I've not been having to convince myself that I don't have symptoms – it felt like a moment in history."
Meningitis outbreak update expected
A further update is expected from the UKHSA on Sunday morning.

On Saturday, meningitis cases rose to 34 from 29.

Some 23 cases have been confirmed and 11 more “remain under investigation”, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

Eighteen of the 23 confirmed cases are meningitis B and all cases have required hospital admission.

More than 8,000 menB vaccines administered
More than 8,000 meningitis B vaccines have been handed out since the outbreak in Kent while the number of cases is up to 34 from 29.

Hundreds of students and other eligible people queued to receive vaccines and antibiotics on Saturday, and more are expected to be waiting outside the clinics when they reopen on Sunday morning.

NHS Kent and Medway, which is in charge of the rollout, said it moved staff to focus on sites with the longest wait times during the week.

A spokesperson said: “Our teams have been working overtime this weekend and into the evenings during the week to deliver antibiotic and vaccine clinics as fast as possible.”
According to the trust, 8,002 vaccines had been administered and 12,157 antibiotics handed out in Kent by 5.55pm on Saturday.

Wes Streeting pays tribute to healthcare workers battling to contain outbreak
Health secretary Wes Streeting has paid tribute to the “Herculean efforts” of healthcare teams battling to contain the meningitis outbreak.

Writing in the Sunday Mirror a week after the outbreak began, he expressed his condolences to the family of two students who died and said his thoughts remain with all those in hospital battling the “terrible disease”.

He added: “It has been an incredibly difficult week for those affected and for those working on the response to this outbreak.

“As we look ahead to another challenging week, I wanted to pay tribute to the Herculean efforts of everyone who has worked tirelessly to care for those affected and keep people safe.

To the UKHSA and other public health officials working to contain the outbreak.

“To the NHS team who stood up a vaccination programme within one day of it being announced and distributed thousands of doses of antibiotics, and to those caring for young patients in hospital.

“To the school, college and university staff keeping students and parents informed, helping young people through this, and keeping their education going.

“And to the thousands of students, pupils, and other members of the public who have so readily and responsibly come forward for antibiotics and vaccination.

“I am incredibly grateful to you all.

Thank you.

We urge people in Kent and across the country to keep following the advice, living your lives and looking after one another.”
In brief: Everything you need to know about the meningitis outbreak
Latest: Cases rise as more than 7,000 vaccines administered
The number of cases linked to the meningitis outbreak in Kent increased to 34 on Saturday, as hundreds of students queued for a third day to get vaccinated.

Some 23 cases have been confirmed alongside a further 11 cases that “remain under investigation”, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

Eighteen of the 23 confirmed cases are meningitis B and all required hospitalisation.

Meanwhile more than 7,000 vaccines had been administered by Saturday afternoon as health officials worked to contain the outbreak.

Meningitis cases rise to 34 from 29 as students queue for third day for vaccines
Experts considering expanding menB vaccine availability
Experts are said to be considering expanding the eligibility for the routine meningitis B vaccine following a call for Wes Streeting.

The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) reportedly launched a review following the outbreak in Kent and are thinking about a wider review of eligibility for menB vaccinations, The Guardian reported.

The JCVI has previously said a catch-up campaign for young people who were born before 2015, when the jab was introduced for babies, would not be cost effective.

Towie star Jordan Brook battling viral meningitis
‘The Only Way is Essex’ star’s case is not connected to the outbreak of meningitis in Kent, where cases have now risen to 34.

Towie star Jordan Brook reveals he has meningitis in update from hospital bed
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