London, United Kingdom. Britain’s health authorities said early laboratory analysis showed the vaccine being offered to students should protect against the meningitis strain linked to an outbreak in southeast England that has killed two people.
Strain identification and vaccine coverage
The UK Health Security Agency said the strain belonged to a group of meningococci known as ST-41/44, which it said had been circulating in the country in recent years. The agency said confirmation that the Bexsero vaccine covers the strain provided “important reassurance,” while further analysis would continue.
Vaccinations, antibiotics, and case numbers
UKHSA said 2,360 people had now received vaccinations and about 9,840 courses of antibiotics had been administered as part of the response. As of Thursday evening, 18 cases had been confirmed and 11 others were under investigation.
Expanded clinics and national vaccine demand
Authorities expanded vaccination clinics on Thursday after health officials warned they were not yet able to say the outbreak had been contained. Britain typically sees around one case of invasive meningitis per day, according to government estimates.
The outbreak has driven high demand for the MenB vaccine nationally, with pharmacy chain Boots reporting earlier this week that supplies across Britain were limited.
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