Hundreds of individuals have lined up for the meningitis vaccine at the University of Kent’s sports center in Canterbury as the confirmed cases have reached 29. Two additional vaccination centers have opened, one in Faversham and another in Ashford, to meet the high demand. The University of Kent had to close its Canterbury campus vaccination service due to capacity issues after confirming 27 suspected cases.
Approximately 100 people were turned away from the queue as students rushed to get vaccinated following the deaths of two young individuals during the outbreak. Juliette Kenny, 18, and a 21-year-old University of Kent student succumbed to the illness. Juliette’s father, Michael, recounted her rapid deterioration, which led to her passing within 12 hours of showing initial symptoms.
In collaboration with the Meningitis Research Foundation, Mr. Kenny emphasized the need for improved access to the menB vaccination for teenagers and young adults to prevent further tragedies. Health officials reported 29 confirmed or probable cases, with 13 of the confirmed cases being meningococcal group B (MenB).
Recent developments revealed that an infected individual may have returned to a nightclub central to the outbreak, potentially exposing others to the infection. Over 1,600 individuals received vaccinations in the first two days of the vaccination center’s operation, with an additional 8,559 antibiotics distributed. The government announced the release of 20,000 vaccines from NHS supplies for sale at pharmacies within 48 hours.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting visited the vaccination center to show his support and praised the swift response of the NHS team. Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield reassured the public that the city remains open for business, emphasizing the importance of vaccination and following safety measures to prevent further spread of the disease.