Meningococcal Disease (MenB) Information for patients

We are extremely sad to hear of the meningitis outbreak in Canterbury and subsequent deaths. The UK Health Security Agency is providing regular updates here. 

There are currently no cases in Sussex.

The MenB vaccine is given to children in three doses normally when they are 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks old.  Children born before 2015 were not vaccinated against MenB. There is currently no catch-up vaccine programme for MenB so at present we are unable to give the vaccine to children once they reach their second birthday.  The current position is that those who are genuinely at risk, from the outbreak in Kent, will be contacted directly by public health teams.  If you have not been contacted, you are unlikely to require treatment.

The NHS website has all the information you need, including what to look out for and when to get medical help.

Published: Mar 18, 2026