News

Meningitis B vaccination for year 13 pupils and university entrants

The following is an extract from correspondence we have recieved from NHS England regarding the upcoming meningitis B vaccination campaign: 

The programme will offer MenB vaccination to those at highest immediate risk ahead of the autumn academic term, specifically:

• Individuals completing Year 13 in summer 2026 (born 1 September 2007 to 31 August 2008), and
• Individuals under 25 years of age starting university or moving into residential further education for the first time in autumn 2026.

Eligible individuals will require two doses of MenB vaccine for optimal protection, with the first dose expected to be offered from 20th July, followed by a second dose in August, with at least 28 days between the doses.

This one-off programme will help protect young people at highest immediate risk ahead of the usual autumn peak in meningitis in this age group.

At present:

• Regional NHS England Public Health Commissioning Teams will lead the response working with ICBs.
• No action is required from GP practices or School-Aged Immunisation Services.
• Providers will be confirmed in the coming weeks with community pharmacies supporting the programme.

Pharmacies are being used for this cohort to provide greater flexibility and accessibility, recognising that many individuals move frequently between their home and place of study. Community pharmacies offer a convenient, nationwide network, enabling individuals to receive their vaccination in a range of locations and to complete their course (including a second dose) at a different site if needed.

Published on 18th Jun 2026

Meningitis B outbreak in Kent

For suspected contacts of meningococcal disease, we have been asked to direct patients to the local UKHSA Health Protection Team (HPT) rather than a single national public helpline.

📞 UKHSA contact routes

🔹 Main route (for patients and clinicians)

• UKHSA Health Protection Team (South East – covers Kent)
  ☎️ 0344 225 3861

👉 This is the correct number for:

• Kent meningitis outbreak enquiries
• Contact tracing / prophylaxis queries
• Advice on whether someone qualifies as a close contact

 

Published on 17th Mar 2026

Welcome to our new website

Good morning, 

We have officially launched our new website which we are hoping our patients will find it much easier to navigate, we know we are!

If you have any comments or queries regarding the new layout, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us via email on sxicb-esx.buxted@nhs.net. We cannot garauntee that all suggested changes can be made but we will take all comments on board. 

Thank you

Senior Management Team

Published on 5th Mar 2026