UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has recently confirmed a localised outbreak of Meningitis B (MenB) in the Canterbury area of Kent. We understand that news like this can cause concern, so we want to provide clear, reliable information for our patients here at Hall Grove Group Practice.

The most important message is that there is no increased risk to people living in Hertfordshire, and no changes have been made to the national vaccination programme.

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What Has Happened in Kent?

UKHSA has reported a cluster of invasive meningococcal disease (MenB) cases linked to a specific venue in Canterbury. Public health teams in Kent are working directly with people who may have been exposed, offering antibiotics and vaccination where appropriate.

This is a local outbreak, and UKHSA has confirmed that the wider public is not at increased risk.

For the latest updates, please refer to UKHSA’s official statements – Cases of invasive meningococcal disease notified in Kent – GOV.UK

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Does This Affect Vaccination Eligibility?

No.
The NHS has not changed who is eligible for the MenB vaccine.

The MenB vaccine (Bexsero) continues to be offered routinely to:

• Babies at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 1 year
• People with certain high‑risk medical conditions
• Close contacts of confirmed cases, if advised by UKHSA

There is no national programme to vaccinate older children, teenagers, or adults outside these groups.

NHS guidance on the MenB vaccine remains unchanged.

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There are different types of bacterial meningitis caused by different strains of bacteria.

• Meningitis B, or MenB, is now the most common in the UK – accounting for over 80% of invasive infections – since vaccination made other forms much rarer.
• Group B bacteria are not a single strain, but encompass many different forms of meningococcal B bacteria.
• There is a vaccine given to babies that protects against the most common, but not all, group B bacteria.
• Since it was introduced in 2015, MenB infections have been reduced by around 75% in those immunised.
• However, anyone over the age of 11 has not been protected unless their parents paid for the vaccine privately.
• The risk from MenB is highest in very young children and older teenagers and young adults – often linked to going to university.
• However, a vaccination campaign for teenagers was not considered to be cost-effective. This is because the vaccine is expensive and does not stop you spreading the infection, but rather stops you getting seriously ill.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I get the MenB vaccine now if I wasn’t eligible before?
  • At present, eligibility has not changed. Only those in the routine childhood schedule or identified as close contacts by UKHSA are being offered the vaccine.
• Can I pay privately for the MenB vaccine?
  • Some private providers do offer MenB vaccination. GP practices, including HGGP, cannot provide private MenB vaccination.
• Is my child protected?
  • Yes—children receive the MenB vaccine as part of the routine NHS childhood immunisation schedule, which provides strong protection against the strain involved in the Kent outbreak.
  • Teenagers also receive the MenACWY vaccine, which protects against four other meningococcal strains.
• Why is the MenB vaccine not given to teenagers in the UK?
  • It’s down to how effective that vaccine is seen to be in that age group.
  • Research suggests the MenB vaccine doesn’t influence transmission of the infection from one person to another, it doesn’t target against all the different B bacteria strains and doesn’t protect for particularly long either.
  • For all those reasons, and despite campaigns by charities to have it introduced, UK vaccine experts have concluded that the MenB vaccine isn’t cost effective on the NHS for adolescents.
  • Babies are offered the MenB vaccine and given three doses in the first year of life. That’s because young babies are more likely to get invasive infections more often than other age groups, and their bodies are less likely to be able to fight them off, experts say.
  • Teenagers are currently offered the MenACWY vaccine, which has reduced the number of young people getting ill from meningitis and spreading those bugs. But uptake of that vaccine is still not where it was before the pandemic – about 73% of 13-year-olds were vaccinated last year in England. Among 14 year olds, uptake was 75%.
• What symptoms should I look out for?
  • Meningitis can develop quickly. UKHSA and the NHS advise seeking urgent medical help if you notice:
    • Fever, cold hands and feet
    • Headache, vomiting
    • Rapid breathing
    • Drowsiness or confusion
    • A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass
  • If you are ever worried about symptoms, call 111 or seek urgent medical care.

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Do I Need to Do Anything?

For patients in Hertfordshire:

• No additional vaccinations are recommended
• No antibiotics are required
• Routine childhood vaccinations remain the best protection

If you have concerns about your or your child’s vaccination status, our team is happy to help check your records.

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Where Can I Find Official Information?

You can read the latest updates from:

• UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – outbreak updates and public health advice
• NHS – information on the MenB vaccine and meningitis symptoms

From January 2026, the practice will no longer be able to accept handwritten or personally typed letters.

To help us manage requests safely and efficiently, we ask all patients to use the eConsult – Admin Request function for non-clinical and administrative queries.

We will still accept written blood pressure readings alongside your weight and height if requested by a doctor.

How to submit an Admin Request:

• Scan the QR code below, or
• Visit: https://hallgrovesurgery.webgp.com/

If you do not have internet access, please be reassured that support is available. You may telephone the surgery or attend reception in person, and a member of our reception team will submit an Admin eConsult on your behalf.

Why are we making this change?

Using eConsult Admin helps us to ensure requests are received and actioned in a timely manner, improves patient safety by reducing delays, supports a consistent and efficient workflow, and allows our teams to focus more time on direct patient care.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we continue to improve our services for all patients.

Hall Grove Group Practice

Dear Patients, 

From the 1st October the practice is implementing some changes to improve the overal patient experience. There is alot of information on our website so please do take time to have a look at what we have on offer.

We believe in providing the most appropriate care by the most appropriate health care professional within the most appropriate time. With this in mind we will be utilising multiple services available such as Pharmacy First and the Urgent Care Centre when most appropriate. 

Help via your GP Surgery will include:

We would like to encourage all our patients to utilise eCONSULT for all medical help. If you do not have online access please ring the surgery and give as much information to our reception team and the practice will get back to you with the most appropriate outcome. 

Whilst we are implementing this new system we would be grateful to hear your feedback so please do get involved with our Patient Participation Group and or write in.

Thank You

Hall Grove Group Practice

The weight loss injections are not yet available to be prescribed on the NHS in our area. The Integrated Care Board (ICB) has released some very useful up-to-date information. Please vist the link below.

https://www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/your-health-and-care/stay-well/weight-management/weight-loss-injections/

You can self-refer for a 12 week NHS funded weight loss programme:

https://tbchealthcare.co.uk/

This is a good website for advice:

https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight/