GSK to support UK meningitis B vaccine expansion following Kent outbreak

UK—GSK has announced its readiness to work with UK health authorities to expand meningitis B vaccine coverage following an ongoing meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent, England.

The outbreak has resulted in two deaths and 20 potential cases, primarily affecting university students.

The drugmaker’s MenB vaccine, branded Bexsero, is currently listed on the UK immunisation schedule for infants only.

The country has included the vaccine in its routine immunisation programme for babies since 2015.

However, this limited schedule leaves many people unprotected, including teenagers born before that date, unless they obtained the vaccine privately.

Government considers broader age coverage

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched a targeted vaccination programme, beginning with students residing at the University of Kent.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting told the House of Commons that he would ask government advisers to consider expanding the existing schedule to include age groups beyond infants, such as teenagers.

A GSK spokesperson confirmed the company’s willingness to engage with any proposals from UK health authorities regarding the broader use of MenB vaccination to address the current outbreak in Kent.

The spokesperson noted that authorities have not yet established the details of any such proposals, preventing further comment at this stage.

Understanding the disease and its spread

Meningococcal disease occurs through invasive infection with the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis.

The bacteria spread via exhaled droplets or through direct contact with an infected individual’s respiratory secretions.

Teenage groups, particularly students, face higher infection risks due to social culture and group-living arrangements.

The MenB vaccine, administered in two doses, has led to a 75% reduction in infections among vaccinated groups since its introduction into the UK routine immunisation programme in 2015.

Bexsero offers broad coverage against most MenB strains causing meningococcal disease, though it cannot provide complete protection as new mutations continue to arise.

Response Efforts and Supply Challenges

Antibiotics remain the most effective treatment to limit the spread of invasive meningococcal disease.

The UKHSA has administered over 2,500 doses to students and their close contacts in the Kent area.

Susan Hopkins, chief of the UKHSA, described the ongoing outbreak as a superspreader event with continuing spread within university halls of residence.

GSK has offered the MenB vaccine privately since its original approval in 2013.

Both private surgeries and pharmacies have reported surging demand for the vaccine since the Kent outbreak began.

A London GP at a private surgery, speaking anonymously, reported being inundated with calls.

The surgery exhausted all vaccine supplies and cannot secure more, having received an alert from its medical supplier stating that priority goes to the NHS.

High-street pharmacy chain Superdrug reported a 65-fold increase in booking demand for the vaccine.

The company acknowledged a national shortage of the Meningitis B vaccine and confirmed it is working with suppliers to secure additional doses.