Urgent: meningococcal meningitis outbreak

Updated: Thursday 19 March at 12:10

Updated: Wednesday 18 March at 15:00

Following the recent Government announcement, a vaccination programme has now been implemented for students living in on-campus accommodation on the Canterbury campus. A vaccination centre is now open, and eligible students are being contacted directly with further details.

At this time, the vaccination is only available to students who live in on-campus accommodation on the Canterbury campus, as identified by UKHSA. If you are invited to attend, you will receive direct communication with information on how to access the vaccine.

If you are a student not living on campus, we understand that this may feel concerning at this time. The eligibility criteria for the vaccination programme are determined by public health officials within the Department of Health and Social Care and its agencies, including the NHS and UKHSA. Our role at the University is to support the delivery of this programme and to ensure that our staff and students receive clear and accurate information.

This is a targeted programme based on public health advice, and it is important that vaccinations are prioritised for those identified as most at risk. We will continue to share updates if this guidance changes or the programme is expanded.

We are working closely with UKHSA to support delivery and will provide further updates as they become available.

Updated: Wednesday 18 March at 15:00

Students living in on-campus accommodation have been invited to receive a MenB vaccination on campus, starting today. If you are eligible, you will have received an email from the University.

The MenB vaccination course being offered to Kent students contains two doses.  Arrangements will be made for students to receive the second dose of the vaccine on the university campus. We will be sending out further information regarding vaccination dates for second doses where required to students within the next few days.

If you live in Canterbury campus halls of residence but have already returned home, arrangements are currently being developed to ensure that you can receive the vaccines nearer to home – further information on how you can receive the vaccination will be provided in due course.

Updated: Tuesday 17 March at 16:43

We’re working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and understand that GPs are being asked to provide precautionary antibiotics to all University of Kent students who get in touch with them.

Known close contacts of cases are also being contacted directly by UKHSA and provided with advice on what to do next. If a student has returned home and has not been contacted, they should seek advice from their GP or local health service for precautionary antibiotics.

Anyone who develops symptoms of meningitis or sepsis should seek medical attention urgently.

Updated: Tuesday 17 March at 16:00

All students living in accommodation have been emailed and asked to collect antibiotics:

Following advice from public health colleagues, students living in our on-campus University accommodation are being asked to attend the Senate Building to collect precautionary antibiotics.

If you are living in campus accommodation on the Canterbury campus and have not received antibiotics already, you should attend for antibiotics without delay. The clinics are open now and tomorrow.

Antibiotics can be collected from the following sites:

• Senate Building at University of Kent, CT2 7NZ – open from 9am to 5pm, last person to enter the queue at 4:30pm (times updated 18 March at 10:48)
• Gate Clinic, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, CT1 3NG – open from 8.30am to 7.30pm
• Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BT – open from 8.30am to 7.30pm
• Carey Building, Thanet Hub, Margate Northwood Rd, Westwood, Broadstairs, CT10 2WA – open from 8.30am to 7.30 pm.

If you have already been contacted by the UK Health Security Agency and have collected your medication, you do not need to attend again. To help manage queues and distribution, the Senate Building will be open from 9am to 8pm on Tuesday 17 March and Wednesday 18 March.

We are also aware the government has announced a vaccination programme for students at Kent. We will let everyone know how this will operate when we have received guidance from the UK Health Security Agency.

Further information will continue to be shared via your student email, so please keep an eye on your inbox. If you have any concerns, please be aware of the symptoms of meningitis and seek medical advice if needed.

Updated: Monday 16 March at 17:25

Students taking exams this week have now been emailed with their online exam arrangements. Please see the exam FAQs for further information, including technical guidance for online exams.

This has been a very unsettling time for our community and we thank you all for your patience while we have managed the complex task of moving your exams online.

Updated: Monday 16 March at 16:38

Students in the following accommodation blocks have been contacted to get precautionary antibiotics:

• Tyler Court B&C
• Keynes Q
• Turing B

Please see below for clinic opening times on campus.

Updated: Monday 16 March at 16:00

Support and precautionary antibiotics on campus

UKHSA has been contacting individuals who are known to have been in close contact with confirmed cases and advising them on the next steps. We have been working with UKHSA to support staff and students who may be impacted by offering precautionary antibiotics at the Senate Building on our Canterbury campus.

If you believe you may have been in close contact with someone who has meningitis but have not yet been contacted by UKHSA, please attend the Senate Building on the Canterbury campus where the Health Protection Team are providing precautionary antibiotics.

The clinic is open today until 20:00 (with the last person able to join the queue at 19:15), and will also operate on Tuesday and Wednesday from 09:00–20:00.

Additional provision is being arranged in Canterbury city centre and we will share further details as soon as they are confirmed.

To help provide reassurance, the University has sourced personal protective equipment (PPE) for colleagues in certain roles. Please note that this is not a mandatory requirement and is not being directed by UKHSA. These items are being provided by the University purely as an optional measure for personal reassurance.

Assessments and exams this week

As previously communicated, there will be no in-person assessments or exams taking place this week. Academic Registry will be contacting students directly with details of alternative arrangements, and we thank you for your patience while colleagues work to ensure fair and appropriate adjustments.

Support and advice available

We recognise that this remains a very sad and worrying time for many members of our community. Support is available for anyone who needs it. Students can access support through our Student Support and Wellbeing teams, and our Chaplaincy team is also available for anyone who would like space to talk, reflect, or seek pastoral support during this difficult time.

Updated: Monday 16 March at 11:30

We are continuing to work closely with public health colleagues as well as our partners in the local area as this situation develops.

We have contacted all our students and staff to ensure they have all the latest advice and support they need, and we will continue to update via email and social media. These communications are shaped by the advice from the UKHSA who have oversight of the overall situation. They have also been contacting known contacts of any cases in our community with advice on what to do and any next steps.

A reminder that there will be no in person assessments or exams this week, and Schools will be in direct contact with students to provide details on alternative arrangements.

We recognise that this is a very sad and worrying time for many members of our community. Please remember that support services are available, and we encourage anyone who needs support to reach out to our Student Support and Wellbeing team.

We will continue to share updates.

Updated: Sunday 15 March at 23:24

In light of the developing situation, we have made the decision that there will be no in-person assessments this week. Your school will be in touch with you directly to provide further details about alternative arrangements.

Our campuses will remain open, but please keep an eye on your emails as we will continue to update students directly.

We recognise that this is a difficult and sad time for all in our community, and support is available for anyone who may need it.

***

We are deeply saddened to confirm that one student from the University of Kent has died following a case of invasive meningitis.

Our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends and the wider university community at this extremely difficult time.

The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. We are working closely with public health teams and are in touch with staff and students to ensure they get the advice and support they need. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep our community informed.

Please find below a message from the UK Health Security Agency about the cases of meningitis in Canterbury and how that is affecting us at the University.

Please read this carefully and if you think you may have symptoms, please get medical advice urgently.

If you need support from Student Support and Wellbeing – please reach out.

In the meantime, the campus remains open and all activities will continue.