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You may have seen recent news about cases of meningococcal disease in Kent. While the overall risk to most people is low, meningococcal disease can become serious very quickly. Knowing the symptoms and getting the right vaccinations for your child or young person can help protect you and your family.

What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious infection caused by meningococcal bacteria. It can cause meningitis (infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord) and/or septicaemia (blood poisoning). It can spread through close contact (for example coughing, sneezing or kissing), and it is seen more often in babies, children, teenagers and young adults.

Vaccination: the key protection for children and young people

There are different types (groups) of meningococcal bacteria. The routine NHS vaccination programme includes vaccines that protect against several of the most serious groups, including MenB and MenACWY. Making sure vaccinations are up to date is the best way to reduce the risk of meningococcal disease in children and young people.

MenB vaccine (meningococcal group B)

• MenB (meningococcal group B) is one of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis in the UK.

• The MenB vaccine is offered to babies at 2 months, 3 months* and 12 months. It has been offered to all babies born on or after 1 May 2015. *The timing of the second MenB dose changed in July 2025 to provide better protection earlier in life.

• MenB is not routinely offered on the NHS to people aged 2 years or older. If you are worried about symptoms, do not wait for vaccination advice—seek urgent medical help. 

MenACWY vaccine (meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y)

• MenACWY protects against 4 meningococcal groups: A, C, W and Y.

• It is usually offered at around 14 years of age (Year 9) through the school-aged vaccination programme.

• If you missed the MenACWY vaccine at school, you can usually still get it up to your 25th birthday. This is especially important for new university entrants because close living and social contact can increase risk.

Symptoms to look out for

Symptoms can develop rapidly, and not everyone will have every symptom. In babies and children, symptoms can also be harder to spot. Seek urgent help if you are worried.

• High temperature (fever)
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness, confusion, or being difficult to wake
• Cold hands and feet
• A rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it (not everyone gets a rash)

The symptoms and signs of meningitis and septicaemia in babies can include:

• refusing feeds, vomiting
• feeling drowsy and not responding to you, or being difficult to wake
• being floppy and having no energy, or being stiff with jerky movements
• being irritable when picked up
• a high-pitched moaning cry
• grunting
• rapid or unusual patterns of breathing
• fever (high temperature)
• cold hands and/or feet
• skin that is pale, blotchy or turning blue
• shivering
• spots or a rash that does not fade under pressure

What to do if you’re worried

• If someone is seriously unwell or you think they may have meningitis or sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
• If you need urgent advice but it is not an emergency, contact NHS 111 (online or by phone).
• For vaccination queries, contact your GP practice or contact our East of England Community and School-Aged Immunisation Service. We can check whether you or your child is up to date and provide any missed routine.

For general information about meningococcal disease and vaccines, see NHS guidance and the UK Health Security Agency. For support and information, Meningitis Now also provides resources for families and young people.