Arabic version: توسيع برنامج تطعيم التهاب السحايا ب لطلاب السنة الحادية عشرة في كينت
Meningitis B vaccinations will be extended to Year 11 pupils at schools where students have already received them, according to health officials. This decision follows an outbreak that has prompted precautionary measures to ensure longer-term protection for students aged 15 and 16. According to BBC News, more than 10,000 meningitis B vaccines have now been administered in the region.
The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) reported no new cases of meningitis for the second consecutive day, maintaining the total confirmed cases at 20. Additionally, three cases remain under investigation, resulting in a decrease in the overall count from 29 reported earlier in the week.
Health officials confirmed that over 13,000 doses of antibiotics have also been given in response to the outbreak, which resulted in two fatalities earlier this month. Prof Robin May, chief scientific officer at the UKHSA, expressed confidence in the effectiveness of existing vaccinations and antibiotic treatments against the current strain of the disease.
Trish Mannes, regional deputy director for the South East, indicated that the outbreak has passed its peak, and the situation appears to be stabilizing. The vaccination initiative aims to provide additional protection to students as the health agency continues to monitor the situation closely.
