Meningitis Outbreak

Lauren Sullivan Excerpts

Tuesday 17th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Wes Streeting]

I thank the hon. Member for her proactive approach over the weekend and in recent days, given the impact that this is having on her constituency and the devastating impact on her constituents. Let me reassure her about two things.

First, we are not advising that there should be school closures. I think it important once again to underscore the nature of the transmission of this disease, which is close personal contact, such as kissing, sharing vapes—which I am concerned about in the context of young people—and sharing drinks. Obviously, if people live together in a household, some of those things are even more likely to occur, but the general risk is low. I want people to think carefully about their own situation, but they should not be unnecessarily worried or anxious.

Secondly, on antibiotics access, students at schools who have had close contact with those who were at Club Chemistry can attend the sites that provide antibiotics. That message went out to all Kent schools this morning, so hopefully there will be an improvement in the flow and accuracy of information going to schools.

The hon. Member was absolutely right to say that once this incident has passed we will need to look back and reflect on what was done and when, and what we can learn from that. At the same time, I am keen to ensure that we are listening, getting active feedback from Members across the House, and improving in real time as well. We will keep these channels open, not just through questions today but through briefings with Members, so that we can get feedback from local elected representatives, which in the hon. Member’s case and others has been extremely valuable.

[Dr Lauren Sullivan (Gravesham) (Lab)]

I send my condolences to the families affected, and to all those who have lost young lives to meningitis in the past. I welcome the Secretary of State’s targeted vaccine programme, as well as the roll-out to deliver antibiotics at pace. Vaccines are the most effective and powerful way in which to protect individuals and the community at large, but we know that infectious diseases mutate, and we must be ready. Will the Secretary of State commit to future work to examine the menB vaccine to ensure that it provides wider protection? Would it be considered as part of the package including the MMR vaccine that is offered to students and young people before they embark on life?

[Wes Streeting]

We can be proud in the United Kingdom that this was the first country in the world to roll out the menB vaccine. As for who might be eligible in the future and on what basis, we always rely on the advice of the JCVI, which is independent and is based on the data and on scientific research. However, owing to the nature of this outbreak and the speed at which we have seen the disease spread, I am asking the JCVI to look again at the advice that it has provided, without prejudice to any decision that it might make. Given our most recent experience and what we have seen in recent days, I think it prudent for the JCVI to take those factors into consideration and issue fresh advice to the Government.