17/03/2026
Many of you will be aware of the current Meningitis outbreak in the news. The above post Informs you of the symptoms of both Meningitis and Septicaemia for your awareness.
If any of these symptoms apply to you or someone you look after, call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E immediately. Trust your instincts and do not wait for all the symptoms to appear or until a rash develops. Someone with meningitis or sepsis can get a lot worse very quickly.
Call NHS 111 for advice if you’re not sure if it’s anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis. If you’ve had medical advice and are still worried or any symptoms get worse, get medical help again.
The disease is spread through sneezing, coughing, and kissing.
Vaccinations offer some protection against certain causes of meningitis, these are:
• MenB Vaccine – Offered to babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second at 12 weeks, and a booster at 1 year
• 6-in-1 Vaccine – offered to children at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, and 18 months
• Pneumococcal Vaccine – 2 doses offered to babies at 16 weeks and 1 year, as well as a single does offered to adults over the age of 65
• MMRV Vaccine – offered to children at 12 months and 18 months
• MenACWY Vaccine – offered to teenagers, sixth formers & “fresher” students going to university for the first time.
For more information please go to: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/
