Information and advice about meningitis

Last updated: Thursday 26 March 2026

You may have seen news about cases of meningitis at the University of Kent. While there is no specific risk to Oxford students, meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly.  

Information is available from the NHS about what to look out for and when to get medical help.  

All students under 25 are strongly recommended to receive the MenACWY vaccination if you haven’t already - you can contact your GP to arrange this. 

Read the University’s advice about important vaccinations.  

Is the MenB vaccination going to be made available to Oxford students/staff? 

As there is currently no specific risk to Oxford students, the MenB vaccine is not being made available at this time. We are monitoring the situation closely and will coordinate with statutory health services should government guidance change.  

What are the signs and symptoms of meningitis?

Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:

• a high temperature (fever)
• being sick
• a headache
• a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)
• a stiff neck
• a dislike of bright lights
• drowsiness or unresponsiveness
• seizures (fits)

These symptoms can appear in any order. You do not always get all the symptoms.

Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly. Get medical help immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis.

Read more on the NHS website.

What is the risk to the wider public?

UKHSA advises:

All of the cases identified to date are connected with Kent and there is no evidence currently that this outbreak has spread further.

The risk of infection to the wider population remains low. This is because transmission of MenB requires close and prolonged contact to spread. Examples of this include living in the same household and intimate contact such as kissing or sharing drinks or  vapes. The bacteria are not as contagious as other infections such as measles and COVID-19.

Individual meningitis cases are not uncommon, but an outbreak of this size is unusual and this is why additional measures are being taken to prevent the spread.

What can people do to protect themselves if they are not in the locality affected by the outbreak?  

UKHSA advises:

The most important thing people can do is know the symptoms and act quickly if they appear. 

It’s important to know how to spot the symptoms of meningitis and sepsis.

People should seek immediate medical attention if they or anyone they know develops symptoms.

Early detection and treatment can save lives.