Thousands of young people in Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell have received important protection against Meningitis B in the past week following a programme to roll-out antibiotics and vaccines led by Dorset HealthCare.
The UK Health Security Agency advised that the medication should be offered to students in years 7-13 who live and/or go to school or college in the area after three young people contracted the disease in the past few weeks.
Dorset HealthCare ran an initial weekend antibiotic clinic for Budmouth and Wey Valley Academies, where the affected young people are students, and then delivered both antibiotics and vaccines in schools throughout last week.
Evening clinics also ran from Tuesday to Friday for students who could not attend in their own school, go to school out of the area or are not attending school for any reason.
Two further evening clinics will run at All Saints Academy from 4-8pm on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 April for anyone in scope who has not yet had the medication, with follow-up opportunities being planned after that.
A total of over 4,300 precautionary antibiotics have been given so far, helping to prevent the spread of the disease, with almost 4,100 vaccinations completed to help protect young people for the future. Arrangements for the second recommended vaccination, to be administered after 28 days, are also being planned.
Hundreds of staff from Dorset HealthCare and partner organisations were quickly mobilised to stand up the clinics at short notice, with Dorset Council sending letters and reminders out to parents through the schools inviting them to take up the offer.
Dorset HealthCare’s Chief Operating Officer Rachel Small said: “We are incredibly proud of all our colleagues who’ve gone the extra mile to roll out this offer so quickly. Their can-do attitude and the way they’ve supported all the young people and their families has been brilliant.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped to make this work, including the many partner organisations who’ve made this a priority and particularly the school teams who have welcomed and looked after us while we’ve been with them. And a particular thank you to the young people and their families for coming forward to get the protection they need.”
Dr Beth Smout, Interim Deputy Director of Health Protection at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) South West said: “It’s really positive to see such good uptake over the past week. Antibiotics are the best course of action if there is a chance you have been exposed to meningococcal bacteria, with MenB vaccination offering longer term protection against becoming seriously ill. If you are eligible for antibiotics, it’s not too late to come forward to receive them.
“Thankfully there have been no further cases and the three young people affected have been treated and are recovering. It’s still important to recognise the symptoms, which can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet. Septicaemia can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass. If the disease is suspected, you should seek immediate medical attention as it can progress rapidly.”
Young people are eligible for antibiotics and the vaccine if:
- They are a resident in Weymouth or Portland or Chickerell and in current school years 7 to 13 (or equivalent), or anyone not in full time education who would be in one of these year groups, OR
- They attend an educational setting in the Weymouth, Portland or Chickerell area and are in current school years 7 to 13 (or equivalent).
Young people are urged to attend the two additional clinics this week if they have not already done so.
Further information on Meningitis and symptoms to look out for is available on the UKHSA blog - https://