A huge line of more than 700 individuals has formed at the University of Kent’s sports center in Canterbury to receive the meningitis vaccine, following a rise in the number of cases to 29. This surge in demand led to the opening of two additional vaccination centers, one in Faversham, located about 10 miles away, and the other at the Vicarage Lane Clinic in Ashford. The overwhelming response came after students were turned away the previous day due to the high demand for the vaccine.
The University of Kent had to close its vaccination service on the Canterbury campus due to reaching capacity, as the number of suspected cases climbed to 27. Around 100 people were prevented from joining the queue at around 3 pm as students hurried to get vaccinated following the tragic deaths of two young individuals during the outbreak – Juliette Kenny, 18, and a 21-year-old University of Kent student.
Juliette’s father, Michael, expressed the devastating loss of his daughter, who passed away within 12 hours of showing initial symptoms. He emphasized the need for urgent action to enhance access to the menB vaccination for teenagers and young adults, in collaboration with the Meningitis Research Foundation.
The recent tally stands at 29 confirmed or probable cases, with the majority being meningococcal group B (MenB). Concerns arose when it was discovered that an infected individual potentially returned to a nightclub central to the outbreak, posing risks of further transmission.
Amid the crisis, over 1,600 people received vaccinations within the first two days of the initial vaccination center opening, with an additional 8,559 antibiotics distributed. The government has pledged to release 20,000 vaccines from NHS reserves for sale by pharmacies within 48 hours.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting visited the vaccination center to show support and commended the swift response of the NHS teams. Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield assured the public that the city remains open for business, emphasizing the importance of completing the vaccination course for protection.
