A recent meningitis outbreak in Kent University has led to many people wandering about the MenB vaccine and whether they should be getting it. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) with NHS England and the government is already coordinating a targeted vaccination programme against Meningitis B- the strain identified to cause the outbreak. Who Is Eligible for MenB Vaccine?As per UKHSA, anyone in the following group has been offered preventative antibiotics which is also known as prophylaxis, is being offered the MenB vaccine. As of now, this includes:close contacts of those who are confirmed or suspected to have meningococcal diseasestudents 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 preventative antibiotics and are eligible for vaccinationstudents who attend other universities in Canterbury, living in halls of residence or off-campus locations where there has been a case, and have been advised to take an antibiotic due to a close contact by UKHSAsixth form students (years 12 and 13) attending a secondary school or sixth form college in Kent where there has been a confirmed or probable case of meningococcal disease informed by local risk assessmentanyone who visited or was working at Club Chemistry in Canterbury between 5 March and 15 March, when the venue closed voluntarily Read: Fact Check: Did Keir Starmer Say UK ‘May Need To Go Into Lockdown’ If Meningitis Cases Keep Rising?Is there Any Risk To The Public?As of now, notes UKHSA that the risk of infection to the wider public remains low. This is because transmission of MenB requires close and prolonged contact to spread. This could only happen when people are living in the same household and with intimate contact such as kissing or sharing drinks or vapes. The bacteria, notes UKHSA, are not as contagious as the other infections like measles and COVID 19. Why Are Antibiotics Being Prescribed?Antibiotics play an important role, and almost an immediate one when it comes to responding to an outbreak. For anyone who has been in close contact with a confirmed or suspected case, preventative antibiotics are being offered to them to clear any meningococcal bacteria they may be carrying. This will reduce the risk of them becoming ill or passing the bacteria on to others. Most Commonly Asked Question: I've Had The MenACWY Vaccine, Do I Still Need MenB Vaccine?The simple answer is a yes. UKHSA notes that if you are eligible for the MenB vaccine despite the fact that you have taken MenACWY vaccine, you should come forward and take the MenB vaccine. This is because the MenACWY vaccine does not protect you against the MenB strains, as they are both different strain. MenB has been identified as the primary cause of meningitis outbreak in Kent University.