GPs report vaccine boost in response to Kent meningitis outbreak
GPs and school immunisation teams are reporting increased interest and uptake in vaccinations after the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent.
The RCGP were among the organisations noting an uptick in inquiries about vaccination saying it was ‘reassuring’ more families were taking up routine immunisations.
School vaccination teams and pharmacies said they had also seen surging demand, including for teenagers who had missed out on the routine MenACWY vaccine given to pupils in year nine.
The Guardian has reported that thousands of teenagers across the country have booked or received jabs in the past fortnight against the A, C, W and Y strains of meningitis and diphtheria, polio and tetanus (Td/IPV).
Immunisation services delivered in schools have reported receiving thousands of phone calls and seen a boost in parents giving consent for vaccines to be given.
NHS Greater Manchester said its school immunisation provider, Intrahealth, had reported a 40% increase in parental consents received.
A spokesperson added that there had been anecdotal reports of more young people contacting GPs to check their vaccination status or arrange catchup vaccines.
Berkshire Healthcare NHS foundation trust also said there had been a noticeable rise in demand across the county for its adolescent vaccination programme last week when more than 780 phone calls had been answered, significantly above its usual weekly average of 150, and more than 1,200 emails had been sent.
The Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust which provides adolescent vaccinations across the East of England also reported receiving thousands of calls from parents.
Last month Pulse reported that GP practices across England were fielding an increase in queries relating to the outbreak and availability of meningitis B vaccination, which currently is only included in the infant schedule.
Health secretary Wes Streeting has asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to review the evidence.
Meningitis B vaccinations were expanded to more students in Kent as a ‘precautionary measure’, but the peak of the outbreak has now passed.
The UK Health Security Agency has reported there have been no new cases with 20 confirmed and 2 notifications remaining under investigation. Two students sadly died.
RCGP chair Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, said: ‘The recent meningitis outbreak has shocked us all, but it’s reassuring that we are seeing more families take up routine vaccinations for their children.
‘General practice teams and school immunisation services are already seeing increased interest and inquiries in some areas, and are working hard to ensure all eligible children can access these vaccines.’
NHS England’s director of vaccination Michelle Kane, said: ‘It’s encouraging that parents are responding to the outbreak by coming forward and seeking advice on vaccination for their teenagers in some areas.
‘While we don’t want people to be unduly worried, we’d strongly encourage all families to consent for their children to have the NHS MenACWY vaccine in year nine, which protects against four types of bacteria that can cause meningitis and sepsis – and to come forward when invited for other jabs offering vital protection.’
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