Hundreds of thousands of young people are ignoring meningitis jabs despite deadly Kent outbreak

From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026.

A one-off vaccination campaign launched after a Kent meningitis outbreak — the largest and fastest-growing seen in the UK — has failed to reach hundreds of thousands of young people who have not come forward for their jabs. Two young people died in the outbreaks that began in Kent in March, prompting the emergency programme. Health officials are now warning that low uptake is raising fears of a fresh wave.

Officials warn that mass non-compliance with the vaccination programme risks a renewed outbreak.