Children and young adults, particularly university students, remain at risk from meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, conditions that, while rare, can be devastating, life-changing, and sometimes fatal. Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports 378 confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in 2024-25.
MenB was the dominant strain, accounting for 82.6% (313 of 378) of all cases, followed by MenW (11.3%), MenY (3.4%), and MenC (0.8%). Although IMD cases dropped sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, numbers have since risen, with MenB cases higher than the previous year. Declines in infant and teenage vaccination rates have increased vulnerability to this preventable disease. Recent uptake of the MenB vaccine at 12 months of age decreased slightly to 91.4%, while coverage of the MenACWY vaccine among Year 9 students was 72.1%, showing some improvement from the previous year but still below pre-pandemic levels.
Two vaccines protect against the main meningococcal strains: the MenB vaccine, routinely administered to infants at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and one year, and the MenACWY vaccine, given to teenagers (aged 13-14) in school. Parents are urged to ensure their children are up to date with the MenB vaccine, and teenagers who missed their MenACWY vaccine particularly those entering universities or higher education should catch up promptly due to increased risk from close living and social environments.
The MenACWY program, introduced in 2015, has been effective in reducing cases linked to these strains. However, MenW cases rose to 43 in 2024-25, partly related to travel to Saudi Arabia, though still well below the 218 cases reported in 2015-16, when the program began. MenB continues to cause most cases, especially affecting infants and young people, responsible for 90% of cases in infants and all cases in 15 to 19-year-olds.
UKHSA Lead Scientist Dr. Helen Campbell emphasized the continued fight against meningitis, highlighting the necessity for parental vigilance and vaccination of young people. Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton called on parents to ensure vaccination to protect children from this rapidly progressing disease, which can cause death or long-term complications. NHS England’s Dr. Amanda Doyle also stressed the importance of full vaccination and awareness.
Knowing the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia is critical. Symptoms can include high fever, cold hands and feet, vomiting, confusion, rapid breathing, muscle and joint pain, pale or blotchy skin, rash, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, extreme sleepiness, or seizures. Immediate medical attention is vital when symptoms appear, as early detection can save lives.
Vaccination remains the most effective protection against meningococcal disease, especially for children and young adults at higher risk due to social environments and lower recent immunization rates
Learn more: Vaccination crucial as meningitis cases increase
