00:00Right, we now come to the statement. Secretary of State, West Street Team.
00:07Thank you. With your permission, Mr Speaker, I'd like to make a statement on the outbreak of meningococcal disease in
00:12Canterbury and East Kent.
00:15This is an unprecedented outbreak. It is also a rapidly developing situation.
00:20As of 9.30 this morning, UKHSA has confirmed four cases of Group B meningococcal disease, with another 11 cases
00:30under investigation.
00:32The two deaths are associated with this cluster.
00:36From 2015, the MenB vaccine has been available on the NHS as part of routine childhood immunisations, but clearly most
00:44students would not be vaccinated.
00:46Given the severity of the situation, I can confirm to the House that we will begin a targeted vaccination programme
00:52for students living in halls of residence at the University of Kent in Canterbury, which will begin in the coming
00:58days.
00:59UKHSA will provide further advice on other cohorts in the coming days.
01:04On the question of wider eligibility, we obviously follow the expert independent advice of the JCVI.
01:11In light of this latest outbreak, I will be asking them to re-examine eligibility for meningitis vaccines.
01:20I will do so without prejudicing their decision, because we have to follow the clinical advice on this.
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