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A community pharmacy representative has called for a coordinated national approach to meningitis vaccinations as new cases have been reported in Dorset.

Following on from the recent Kent outbreak that claimed the lives of two young people in March, three MenB cases have been confirmed in Weymouthbetween March 20 and April 15. 

The confirmed cases in Weymouth are a different sub-strain to the one detected in Kent. Two cases involve mutual contacts who attend the same school, although no epidemiological link has been made between these and the third individual, who attends a different school.

“This may mean that this strain of MenB bacteria is transmitting more widely among young people in Weymouth,” said the Government as it revealed it is offering antibiotics and MenB vaccination to young people in school years 7 to 13 across the areas of Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell.

Independent Pharmacies Association chief executive Leyla Hannbeck said: "News of further meningitis cases is deeply concerning and underlines the urgency of acting now to prevent further spread.

"We have been clear that a reactive, localised approach is not enough. This is exactly why we have been calling for a nationwide vaccination push, particularly targeting the 'missing generation' of young people who have missed out on meningitis jabs.

"Community pharmacies are ready and able to play a central role in delivering catch-up vaccinations quickly and accessibly. We cannot afford to wait for more cases to emerge before taking action.

"The Government and NHS must now move at pace to ensure vaccines are available and a coordinated national rollout is in place to protect communities across the country.”

Dr Beth Smout, deputy director at the UK Health Security Agency, said: We are working closely with partners to follow up and offer precautionary antibiotics to close contacts of the cases. However, meningococcal disease does not spread easily, and outbreaks like we have seen recently in Kent are rare. These cases are not linked to the Kent outbreak and it is important to be aware that this outbreak is not on the same scale as we saw in Kent in terms of speed of transmission or severity.

“However, it is possible that we will see further cases linked to these latest cases in Weymouth and we understand that there will be concern among students, staff, parents and the local community as we widen our offer of antibiotics and vaccination.

“I’d like to stress that this is an additional precaution, and that we’re following national guidelines to reduce the risk of the infection spreading. School pupils and staff should attend school as normal if they remain well.”