GP practices across England asked to give MenB vaccine to Kent students who returned home

NHS England has asked GPs across the country to administer MenB vaccines to University of Kent students who have returned home, amid the ongoing meningitis outbreak.

The commissioner wrote to practices this afternoon to communicate that providing MenB vaccinations to this cohort as of today is an essential service under the GP contract.

The Statement of Financial Entitlements (SFE) will be amended to that effect retrospectively today and practices can claim a £10.06 Item of Service fee for each MenB vaccination administered to the eligible population.

NHS England said that an offer to the eligible population should in place by no later than Monday 23 March ‘if not sooner’.

The letter said: ‘As part of the response to the outbreak of meningococcal disease in Kent, we are seeking the support of general practice to offer MenB vaccinations upon request to a small cohort of patients who cannot access vaccination at local vaccination clinics at the University of Kent, for example, because they have returned home from campus.

‘As of 19 March 2026, UKHSA has updated guidance to offer some students at the University of Kent a vaccine, recognising that many students have returned home. If an eligible individual has already returned home and has not received a vaccine through a local vaccination clinic, we are asking practices to administer MenB vaccines to the eligible cohort on request.’

As of today, vaccination has been extended to everyone who has been offered preventative antibiotic treatment as part of the outbreak.

NHS England said that at the present time, this includes:

• students at the University of Kent who are normally resident on the Canterbury Campus, including those who may have now travelled home. Some staff living or working in these Halls of Residence have also been offered antibiotic prophylaxis.
• students in relevant halls of residence or other private dwellings who attend other universities in Canterbury and have been advised to take an antibiotic due to a close contact.
• individuals who attended Club Chemistry from 5 March until it closed voluntarily on 16 March.

This list may be added to in the coming days as further information emerges, the commissioner added.

The letter added: ‘Sixth form or other year groups and education settings in Kent where there are confirmed or probable cases are also eligible and have been notified by schools or UKHSA. Local arrangements are in place to offer vaccination to this group.’

GPs from around the country have told Pulse they are being inundated with queries about accessing meningitis vaccinations as well as some patients with symptoms.

As of 5pm on 19 March, 18 laboratory cases are confirmed and 11 notifications remain under investigation, bringing the total to 29, and two people are known to have died.