Surge in Routine Vaccinations Following Meningitis B Outbreak
School immunisation services and pharmacies across England are experiencing a significant increase in demand for routine vaccinations in response to the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent.
Thousands of teenagers nationwide have booked or received vaccinations in the past two weeks against meningitis strains A, C, W, and Y (MenACWY), as well as diphtheria, polio, and tetanus (Td/IPV).
Experts view this rise in immunisation uptake as a positive development amid the outbreak, which has resulted in 18 hospitalisations. Current data indicates that only 72% of year-nine pupils received their initial or booster vaccinations during the 2024/25 academic year, significantly below the recommended 95% coverage.
Reports from Professional Bodies and Regional Services
The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) have both reported increasing demand for routine year-nine vaccinations across England.
“Although this has largely been for MenB vaccinations, we’ve also seen a significant uptick in demand for MenACWY among teenagers who have missed out on their initial vaccine from the NHS,” said Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA.
“An unintentional but encouraging consequence of this outbreak is that more patients and their parents are looking into their vaccine records to catch up on those that they have missed.”
Prof Victoria Tzortziou Brown, chair of the RCGP, added:
“The recent meningitis outbreak has shocked us all, but it’s reassuring that we are seeing more families take up routine vaccinations for their children.
General practice teams and school immunisation services are already seeing increased interest and enquiries in some areas, and are working hard to ensure all eligible children can access these vaccines.”
Regions reporting increased demand for routine year-nine vaccinations include Hertfordshire, counties across the east of England, Greater Manchester, Berkshire, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, Wiltshire, and Surrey.
Regional Data and Service Responses
The NHS trust responsible for school vaccinations in Hertfordshire and the east of England reported that as many as 1,750 teenagers received routine vaccinations on 21 and 22 March alone.
Caroline Shepherd, assistant director of child health and immunisations at the trust, stated:
“Our community and school-aged immunisation service has received more than 2,000 calls from east of England residents who are concerned about the recent meningitis cases reported in Kent and are seeking advice on vaccination.”
In Greater Manchester, the trust’s school immunisation provider, Intrahealth, noted a 40% increase in parental consents compared with an average week. A spokesperson also reported anecdotal evidence of more young people contacting GPs to verify their vaccination status or arrange catch-up immunisations.
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust observed a marked rise in adolescent vaccination programme engagement between 16 and 23 March, answering over 780 phone calls—well above the usual weekly average of 150—and receiving more than 1,200 emails.
A spokesperson from Berkshire Healthcare said parental consent for routine teenage immunisations had increased from 90% to just under 92%. They added:
“Demand for vaccination appointments has also increased, with 560 bookings now confirmed for upcoming clinics.”
Charlotte Church, the trust’s lead nurse for immunisations, commented:
“The recent meningitis outbreak has reminded many parents of the vital role routine immunisations play in protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
We’ve seen a clear rise in parents coming forward to ensure their children are fully vaccinated, particularly for the year-nine meningitis ACWY vaccine, alongside the fifth and final dose protecting against tetanus, diphtheria and polio.”
The provider responsible for school vaccinations in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, Wiltshire, and Surrey has also reported increased demand for routine immunisations.
Lisa Farrell, the group’s regional director for 0-19 services, stated:
“We are seeing a noticeable increase in enquiries about vaccinations, which is completely understandable.”
Expert and NHS England Responses
Professor Saul Faust, paediatric immunology and infectious diseases expert at the University of Southampton, reflected on the data:
“These data remind us that part of the reason for lack of uptake of vaccines overall is that people have forgotten just how serious vaccine-preventable diseases can be due to the overall success of the programme.
It is sad that it has taken a serious outbreak to remind people how important all vaccines are to infant, child and teenage health, but great that rates are improving. Our challenge now is to work out how to maintain higher rates without the diseases coming back.”
Michelle Kane, NHS England’s director of vaccination, commented:
“It’s encouraging that parents are responding to the outbreak by coming forward and seeking advice on vaccination for their teenagers in some areas.
While we don’t want people to be unduly worried, we’d strongly encourage all families to consent for their children to have the NHS MenACWY vaccine in year nine, which protects against four types of bacteria that can cause meningitis and sepsis – and to come forward when invited for other jabs offering vital protection.”
