More than 6,500 students given emergency antibiotics in deadly Kent meningitis outbreak
The University of Kent confirmed the drugs to treat the disease had been distributed across its campus
More than 6,500 students have been given emergency antibiotics as a meningitis outbreak rages among Kent universities.
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After a second university in Canterbury confirmed that a student had contracted the illness, the University of Kent confirmed the drugs to treat the disease had been distributed across its campus.
In an update to its Meningitis B vaccination programme, the university also confirmed that 600 jabs had been given out to its students in one day.
The update added: "Students will need to return for a second dose in a minimum of four weeks' time".
"At the moment, the vaccine is only for University of Kent students living in accommodation on the Canterbury campus," the statement reads.
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"Any plans to expand this pilot will be confirmed by the UKHSA. This is a regional outbreak – and not university-specific. If the evidence suggests that it would help our wider community, we would like to see the eligibility criteria widened.
"Any students living in Canterbury campus halls of residence who have already returned home, arrangements are currently being developed to ensure that they receive the vaccines nearer to home - further information on this will be provided in due course and at the guidance of the UKHSA."
Canterbury Christ Church University confirmed on Wednesday one of its students now also has the infection after it was first detected at the University of Kent.
Authorities believe the deadly outbreak first exploded at Club Chemistry, a nightclub in Catenbury.
Canterbury-Christ Church Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Rama Thirunamachandran said: "The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has now confirmed one case of meningococcal disease involving a CCCU student.
"We have reached out to support the individual directly. This case is linked to the initial cluster associated with Club Chemistry. We continue to work with UKHSA, public health clinicians and other partners on the appropriate response."
Two people have been confirmed dead from the disease, with 20 cases currently identified in total.
Five more cases were identified overnight and the spread has now been declared a national incident.
It comes as authorities face a race against time to vaccinate around 5,000 students in Kent University halls before the deadly strain of Meningitis B spreads further.
But a source at GlaxoSmithKline, a major manufacturer of the Meningitis B vaccine, has told LBC the government has "not yet fully established" its proposals on the distribution of the vaccine - four days on from confirmation of the outbreak.
GPs across the country will be advised to prescribe antibiotics to anyone who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury between March 5-7, the UKHSA confirmed on Wednesday.
Pharmacies are being "inundated" with requests and websites are crashing due to demand for the Meningitis B vaccine.
Some pharmacy staff have also reported "abuse and intimidation" from a number of patients, according to the Chair of the National Pharmacy Association - who described this behaviour as "absolutely unacceptable".
Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association said: "Pharmacies are being inundated by requests from concerned patients for MenB vaccination, which the vast majority of our members across the country have no stock currently available to fulfil.
"Most pharmacies provide MenB vaccinations as a small scale service, originally intended for patients who require it for travel or those who did not receive an NHS vaccine, and therefore do not carry significant amounts of excess stock.
"We have heard of some reports of abuse and intimidation aimed at pharmacy staff during this period from a small minority of patients, which is absolutely unacceptable.
"We understand that health officials may wish to preserve stock of vaccination for those most at need during this outbreak and pharmacies stand ready, to help in any potential NHS vaccination campaign.
"It's clear there are gaps in the original national vaccination strategy and we want to reach those in most need.
"We are awaiting clarification about any future plans for MenB vaccination.
Speaking on Tuesday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting attributed the cases to prolonged kissing and sharing of vapes in nightclubs frequented by university students.
On Monday, A-level student Juliette, whose parents requested that her surname not be reported, was confirmed to be one of those who died.
The 18-year-old pupil at a Faversham grammar school was described as "happy and caring" by her bereaved parents.
A 21-year-old student from the University of Kent was also killed by the disease but has not yet been publicly identified.
A number of those who have fallen ill have been placed into medically induced comas, LBC understands.
Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly. It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
— NHS (@NHSuk) March 18, 2026
Swipe through to find out what to look out for and more on when to get help.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Superdrug said: "At Superdrug, bookings at our nurse clinics for our meningitis service have continued to increase since last week.
"Unfortunately, due to a national shortage of the Meningitis B vaccine following a significant increase in demand, we’re currently experiencing supply shortages and a spike in booking activity.
"We are working urgently to secure more stock, and will notify patients when stock is available and they are able to book their appointments.
"Superdrug is committed to making essential healthcare as accessible as possible.
"Our Meningitis B vaccine price reflects the costs associated with administering a clinically safe and effective two-dose course, whilst maintaining the highest standards of care and service for our patients.”