Reported outbreak of penicillin-resistant invasive Men B linked to the University of Kent

This news article will be updated as an when new information arrives

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We are aware of queries coming into practices following the reported outbreak of penicillin-resistant invasive Men B linked to the University of Kent, and understandable concern from patients about the need for antibiotic prophylaxis.

For clarity, the identification of contacts at risk and the organisation of any prophylactic antibiotic treatment sits with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) public health teams. This is not part of core GMS work, and practices are not expected to identify, triage, or prescribe prophylaxis in response to this type of outbreak.

Where patients contact you:

  • You can reassure them that those at genuine risk will be contacted directly by public health teams.
  • If they have not been contacted, they are unlikely to require prophylaxis.
  • Any queries about eligibility for antibiotics should be directed to UKHSA or the local health protection team, rather than managed via general practice.
  • Practices may of course need to assess and manage patients who are clinically unwell or have symptoms suggestive of meningococcal disease, in line with usual clinical pathways.

Given the scale described, there is a risk of significant additional workload being displaced into general practice. It is reasonable to maintain a consistent position and signpost appropriately, rather than initiating prescribing outside a coordinated public health response.

Local arrangements

I am writing to all colleagues to confirm the current position in relation to practices contacted by patients affected by the outbreak above.

In relation to providing Men B vaccinations

The SFE (Statement of Financial Entitlements) has been urgently amended to enable GP practices to be NHS funded to provide Men B vaccinations (Bexsero) to eligible patients. This amendment applies retrospectively from 19th March 2026. Such work is covered by CNSGP. Practices will be paid £10.06 per vaccination which should be claimed manually via CQRS.

Full details of eligibility are available in this NHS England letter: NHS England » For action: urgent vaccination response to outbreak of meningococcal disease linked to University of Kent and the area of Canterbury

but the current eligible cohort includes:

As of 19 March, vaccination has been extended to everyone who has been offered preventative antibiotic treatment as part of this outbreak. At the present time, this includes:

  1. Students at the University of Kent who are normally resident on the Canterbury Campus, including those who may have now travelled home. Some staff living or working in these Halls of Residence have also been offered antibiotic prophylaxis.
  2. Students in relevant halls of residence or other private dwellings who attend other universities in Canterbury and have been advised to take an antibiotic due to a close contact.
  3. Individuals who attended Club Chemistry from 5 March until it closed voluntarily on March 16.

This list may be added to in the coming days as further information emerges. Sixth form or other year groups and education settings in Kent where there are confirmed or probable cases are also eligible and have been notified by schools or UKHSA. Local arrangements are in place to offer vaccination to this group.

In relation to providing prophylactic antibiotic treatment

The arrangements for this are outlined in the letter of 18th March available at:
Guidance for public health management of meningococcal disease in the UK

SSLMCs have confirmed with both Surrey and Sussex ICBs that this work is not covered by the GMS/PMS Primary Medical Services Contract. Practices should provide antibiotic treatment in-line with national guidance. All such consultations should be coded using the following SNOMED code “Administration of prophylactic antibiotic for meningococcus 170450005”. Consultations not so coded at the time can be coded retrospectively. Surrey Heartlands ICB will circulate details of claim arrangements for this work shortly.

I would like to thank all colleagues who have supported patients and their families during this outbreak and provided advice and reassurance during what has, understandably, been a stressful and upsetting time.

Dr Julius Parker, Chief Eecutive

I am writing to all colleagues to confirm the current position in relation to practices contacted by patients affected by the outbreak above.

In relation to providing Men B vaccinations


The SFE (Statement of Financial Entitlements) has been urgently amended to enable GP practices to be NHS funded to provide Men B vaccinations (Bexsero) to eligible patients. This amendment applies retrospectively from 19th March 2026. Such work is covered by CNSGP. Practices will be paid £10.06 per vaccination which should be claimed manually via CQRS.

Full details of eligibility are available in this NHS England letter: NHS England » For action: urgent vaccination response to outbreak of meningococcal disease linked to University of Kent and the area of Canterbury

but the current eligible cohort includes:

As of 19 March, vaccination has been extended to everyone who has been offered preventative antibiotic treatment as part of this outbreak. At the present time, this includes:

  1. Students at the University of Kent who are normally resident on the Canterbury Campus, including those who may have now travelled home. Some staff living or working in these Halls of Residence have also been offered antibiotic prophylaxis.
  2. Students in relevant halls of residence or other private dwellings who attend other universities in Canterbury and have been advised to take an antibiotic due to a close contact.
  3. Individuals who attended Club Chemistry from 5 March until it closed voluntarily on March 16.

This list may be added to in the coming days as further information emerges. Sixth form or other year groups and education settings in Kent where there are confirmed or probable cases are also eligible and have been notified by schools or UKHSA. Local arrangements are in place to offer vaccination to this group.

In relation to providing prophylactic antibiotic treatment


The arrangements for this are outlined in the letter of 18th March available at:
Guidance for public health management of meningococcal disease in the UK

SSLMCs have confirmed with both Surrey and Sussex ICBs that this work is not covered by the GMS/PMS Primary Medical Services Contract.

The LMC has been advised that in NHS Sussex, ABC Federation is commissioned by the ICB to provide a response to patients in the event of an outbreak, in terms of prophylactic antibiotics. The LMC advise that UKHSA should, if contacted, be signposting patients to ABC. This therefore should be a practice’s first advice to patients.

If this service is unavailable, then practices can provide antibiotic treatment in line with national guidance. All such consultations should be coded using the following SNOMED code “Administration of prophylactic antibiotic for meningococcus 170450005”. Consultations not so coded at the time can be coded retrospectively. NHS Sussex will circulate details of claim arrangements for this work shortly.

The LMC recommends that practices document that signposting to ABC was not an available option for any patients for whom they provide antibiotic prophylaxis.

I would like to thank all colleagues who have supported patients and their families during this outbreak and provided advice and reassurance during what has, understandably, been a stressful and upsetting time.

Dr Julius Parker, Chief Executive

SWL update is pending…

UKHSA Health Protection Teams

Health protection teams (HPT) provide specialist public health advice and operational support to NHS, local authorities and other agencies.

This team covers:

  • Brighton and Hove
  • East Sussex
  • Surrey
  • West Sussex

Telephone: 0344 225 3861

Health protection teams (HPT) provide specialist public health advice and operational support to NHS, local authorities and other agencies.

This team covers the London boroughs of:

  • Bexley
  • Bromley
  • Croydon
  • Greenwich
  • Kingston
  • Lambeth
  • Lewisham
  • Merton
  • Richmond
  • Southwark
  • Sutton
  • Wandsworth

Telephone: 0300 303 0450

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