Why is MenB vaccine not given to teenagers in UK and should they be offered it?

"Meningitis B, known as MenB, is the strain of bacteria behind the outbreak of meningitis cases in young people in Kent, experts have confirmed. It is rarer but far more serious than viral meningitis and can lead to blood poisoning or sepsis, and affect the brain. Some cases are fatal."

"Babies are routinely offered a vaccine against MenB, and have been since 2015, but the UK's current generation of older teenagers and university students have not, since the shot was not available when they were born. The UK decided against running a catch-up campaign to vaccinate teenagers, but some parents have been buying the jab privately."

"Helen said: 'Megan had called us on the Friday night to say she was feeling a bit lethargic and she didn't really want to go out that evening. That rang alarm bells with us because Megan always wanted to go out and socialise so that was the first point.'"

Meningitis B (MenB) is a serious bacterial strain causing an outbreak among young people in Kent, with confirmed deaths and hospitalizations. Unlike viral meningitis, MenB can cause sepsis and brain damage, with some cases proving fatal. Babies have received routine MenB vaccination since 2015, but current teenagers and university students were born before the vaccine became available. The UK declined to implement a catch-up vaccination campaign for older teenagers, though some parents purchase private vaccinations for approximately £220. Currently, teenagers receive the MenACWY vaccine, which protects against other meningitis strains but not MenB. Parents of deceased victims advocate for vaccination awareness and accessibility.

Read at www.bbc.com