Island to offer meningitis B vaccine programme

2 hours ago

News image — The rollout comes after concerns over outbreaks of the infection in Kent and other parts of the UK

PA Media A picture of hands holding a needle and bottle. It is on a white background. — The rollout comes after concerns over outbreaks of the infection in Kent and other parts of the UK

Officials have said they are working to replicate the UK's plans to offer young people a vaccine against meningitis B.

The two dose vaccine is expected to be for either year 13 school pupils in Guernsey born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, and those under the age of 25 starting higher education or living in halls for the first time in September.

It comes after outbreaks of the infection in Kent, Dorset and Berkshire earlier this year.

"Public Health are aware of the programme planned in the UK and are working on the local offer," said Alex Hawkins-Drew, associate director of Guernsey Public Health.

"More details will be provided in the coming weeks of eligibility and how those eligible can access the vaccine," they added.

Who is eligible?

The States of Guernsey said the vaccine would be offered to people who were:

born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008
turning 25 years of age after 31 December 2026 (born on or after 1 January 2002) and due to start undergraduate higher education for the first time in autumn 2026
turning 25 years of age between and including 21 July 2026 and 31 December 2026 (born between 21 July 2001 and 31 December 2001) and are due to start undergraduate higher education for the first time in autumn 2026
turning 25 years of age after 31 December 2026 (born on or after 1 January 2002) and will be living in further education accommodation or halls of residence for the first time in autumn 2026
turning 25 years of age between 21 July 2026 and 31 December 2026 (born between 21 July 2001 and 31 December 2001) inclusive and will be living in further education accommodation or halls of residence for the first time in autumn 2026

The States of Guernsey said it was important to clarify this was not a mass vaccination programme, but a "time-limited, cohort offer".

It added anyone who already had two doses in the last five years or were returning to higher education or residential further education did not need to have the vaccine.

Postgraduate students were not eligible for vaccination, even those starting the first year of their course.

Listen to the latest news for Guernsey

The rollout of the vaccine in Guernsey comes after news in the UK that a million young people would be offered a vaccine to help protect against meningitis B.

The one-off programme has been launched after concerns over the UK's largest and fastest growing meningitis B outbreak to date in Kent this year and two further "unusual" clusters in Weymouth in Dorset and Reading in Berkshire.

The two-dose vaccine will be for pupils in Year 13, in England and Wales, Year 14 in Northern Ireland and S6 in Scotland, as well as those aged 18 to 25 heading to university or residential further education for the first time in the autumn.

Officials say the programme will help protect those at "highest immediate risk". Meningococcal disease can lead to life-threatening illness.