Rise in meningitis cases prompts push for vaccinations

Health officials have urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated following a spike in meningitis cases.

In 2024/25, there were 378 cases of the serious bacterial infection invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), an infection which causes meningitis, according to figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This is up from 340 in the previous 12 months.

Most cases were among children and young people, with the MenB strain behind 90% of cases in babies and all 65 cases in patients aged 15 to 19. It also accounted for the highest proportion of cases among those aged 25 and over.

UKHSA said it followed a decline in infant and teenage vaccination rates, which is leaving youngsters vulnerable to the disease. Those in university, in particular, have been urged to protect themselves.

Public health minister Ashley Dalton said: "I urge all parents and guardians to ensure their children are up to date with their meningitis vaccinations, as well as those eligible." There are two available jabs offered to protect against infections. The MenB vaccine is offered to babies at eight weeks, 16 weeks and one year.

The MenACWY, protecting against four strains, is typically offered to teenagers in Year 9. Read more:Britons urged to book jabs for flu seasonElderly patients facing 'war-like' conditions Updated quarterly figures show uptake for the MenB vaccine among one-year-olds has fallen by 0.3%, to 91.4%.

Among 13 to 14-year-olds, coverage of the MenACWY jab was 72.1%, higher than in 2022/23 but lower than before the Covid pandemic. All young people are eligible for the MenACWY jab until their 25th birthday.

Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia include high temperature, vomiting, muscle and joint pain, mottled skin, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light and a rash..