Health Response

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Cases of meningitis in
Canterbury: information
for students and staff

We recognise that this is a very sad and worrying time for our community. We are working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS partners to provide support and guidance. Please read the information below carefully.

Vaccination FAQs

What the University is doing

Meningitis B vaccination programme

Following advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), we can share that eligible students and members of staff at the University of Kent can receive the MenB vaccination.

See vaccination clinic opening times. 

Students and staff MUST bring their University of Kent IDs to be able to get the vaccination.

If you have already returned home, arrangements are currently being developed to ensure that you can receive the vaccines nearer home. Further information on how you can receive the vaccination will be provided in due course.

The MenB vaccine is being made available to help protect students from becoming seriously unwell with meningitis if you are exposed in the future.

This is part of our ongoing commitment to offer a swift response and reassurance to support Kent students at this difficult time.

Precautionary antibiotics on campus

The University will continue to offer precautionary antibiotics to staff and students who may be affected. These can be collected from the following sites:

  • Senate Building (University of Kent), Canterbury
  • Gate Clinic, Kent and Canterbury Hospital
  • Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury
  • Vicarage Lane Clinic, Ashford
  • Thanet Community Health Hub, Northwood Road, Broadstairs
  • James Williams Healthy Living Centre, Pentagon Centre, Military Road, Chatham

If you have already been contacted by the UKHSA and have collected your medication, you do not need to attend again.

See antibiotic and vaccine clinic opening times.

Symptoms and what to do

Everyone should remain aware of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and what to do. One or more of these symptoms may develop and they can appear in any order:

  • High temperature
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea and stomach cramps
  • Drowsiness or difficult to wake
  • Confusion and/or irritability
  • Severe muscle pain
  • Pale blotchy skin, spots or rash
  • Severe headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Dislike of bright light
  • Convulsions or seizures.

If you or a friend develops symptoms of meningitis or septicaemia, particularly if symptoms are getting worse, seek medical help urgently at the closest Accident and Emergency Department or by dialling 999.

Latest updates on the UKHSA website

MenB Vaccination FAQs

Following updated advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), eligible University of Kent students and staff can now receive the MenB vaccination.

While two doses of the MenB vaccine helps protect individuals from getting ill with the disease, it does not prevent people from carrying and spreading the bacteria in the community. This programme is therefore being targeted towards those identified as potentially being at ongoing increased risk of exposure.

Find out about the expansion of the Meningitis B vaccination to Kent students

You can receive the MenB vaccine at: 

Sports Hall 2, Sports Centre, University of Kent.

Learn more about other vaccination clinics opening in the local area. 

See vaccination clinic opening times. 

Yes, you must bring your University of Kent ID to receive the vaccine.

You can attend the clinic during opening hours. Please follow any guidance provided on arrival.

No. Vaccination is not compulsory in England. 

However, the UKHSA strongly recommends this as the best way to protect yourself against MenB during this outbreak. 

Yes. 

The MenACWY vaccine does not protect against MenB, which is the strain involved in this outbreak.

The vaccination is currently being delivered via the University and local Canterbury clinics. 

We are working with public health partners on wider arrangements and will share updates if local options become available. 

We are working with UKHSA on next steps. Further clinics may be arranged and will be communicated as soon as confirmed. We will also be in touch with staff and students regarding the second dose once we have more information.

Learn more about other vaccination clinics opening in the local area.   

We recognise some students and staff may not be able to attend immediately. We are working with UKHSA on this and will provide an update as soon as possible.

Learn more about other vaccination clinics opening in the local area.   

Yes, we expect further opportunities to be made available. Please keep an eye on university communications.

General FAQs

Meningococcal meningitis is a serious but uncommon bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It can also lead to sepsis (blood poisoning) and can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. There are multiple strains of meningococcal bacteria, MenA, MenB, MenC, MenW, MenX and MenY.

Symptoms can appear in any order and may include:

  • High temperature
  • Severe headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Pale or blotchy skin
  • Rash (including non-fading rash)
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Confusion or irritability
  • Drowsiness or difficulty waking
  • Seizures

Anyone who develops symptoms of meningitis or sepsis should seek medical attention urgently.

Transmission of  MenB requires close and prolonged contact to spread including living in the same household and intimate contact such as kissing or sharing drinks or vapes. The bacteria are not as contagious as other infections such as measles and COVID-19.    

Antibiotics play a crucial role in the response to this outbreak in 2 distinct ways. 

1. Preventative antibiotics (prophylaxis) are being offered to close contacts of confirmed cases as a precautionary measure to help limit further spread. This includes anyone who visited Club Chemistry on 5, 6 or 7 March.  

2. Antibiotics given to treat an infection are used when someone has already become ill. For MenB, prompt treatment with antibiotics is critical - which is why seeking urgent medical help at the first sign of symptoms is so important. 

Advice on antibiotics has been issued to staff and students at the University of Kent, and antibiotics are available at a number of distribution sites including Senate on campus.

Preventative antibiotics (also known as prophylaxis) are being offered to all students living in on-campus accommodation at Canterbury, anyone who attended Club Chemistry in Canterbury, Kent on 5, 6 or 7 March, and any individuals who have been in close contact with someone with confirmed or suspected meningitis.

If you have been offered preventative antibiotics, it is strongly advised that you take them as soon as possible. Adequate supplies of antibiotics are available at the university, local hospitals and through the ambulance service.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been contacting individuals who are known to have been in close contact with confirmed cases and advising them on the next steps. We have been working with UKHSA to support staff and students who may be impacted by offering precautionary antibiotics at the Senate Building on our Canterbury campus.

If you believe you may have been in close contact with someone who has meningitis but have not yet been contacted by UKHSA, please attend the Senate Building on the Canterbury campus where the Health Protection Team are providing precautionary antibiotics.

Precautionary antibiotics are being distributed at locations including:

  • Senate Building (University of Kent), Canterbury
  • Gate Clinic, Kent and Canterbury Hospital
  • Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury
  • Vicarage Lane Clinic, Ashford
  • Thanet Community Health Hub, Northwood Road, Broadstairs
  • James Williams Healthy Living Centre, Pentagon Centre, Military Road, Chatham

See antibiotic clinic opening times.

Seek medical help urgently: 

  • Contact NHS 111 for advice
  • Attend A&E
  • Call 999 in an emergency

If a friend is unwell, check on them regularly — symptoms can worsen quickly. 

This week is Assessment Week (16-20 March). No in-person assessments or exams are taking place during the affected period. Students have been contacted with alternative arrangements for online assessments, taking place this week. 

See our exams FAQs and guidance for online exams.

The university recognises this is a distressing time and encourages students to contact:

You can also get more information from external charities such as:

Check your university email regularly.

Follow official university communications via the Student and Staff webpages.

Follow the University of Kent on social media @UniKentLive on Instagram. 

Monitor updates from public health authorities.

Follow these pages to get the latest updates for:

17 March 2026

Our response to the meningitis cases.

Read this statement from the University of Kent on the response to cases of meningitis in Canterbury.

Read the full statement

Further information