Meningitis B Update

20 March 2026

We understand that there is considerable concern around the localised outbreak of Meningitis B (Men B) in Kent.

The situation is being monitored closely by our colleagues at Public Health Wales and there is currently no evidence of increased risk to anyone in the Hywel Dda area or Wales as a whole. 

Men B vaccination has been part of the routine childhood vaccine schedule since 2015. Three doses of Men B are given at eight weeks, 16 weeks and 12 months.

Based on the NHS policy - Men B vaccination is not routinely available to older children or adults, and this remains unchanged.

Please do not contact the health board or your GP for Men B vaccination for children over two years of age.

If your child is 12-24 months and has not received three doses of Men B vaccine your GP surgery may be able to provide the vaccine as part of a catch-up programme. Please see social media or webpage information for your GP surgery to see whether they are contacting eligible patients or advising you to contact them. 

Meningitis outbreaks are not always due to Meningitis B. There are other types of meningitis strains, and there is a vaccine to protect against the most common of these. The Meningitis ACWY (Men ACWY) vaccine is  currently being offered to 13-14 year olds, in schools by the school nursing teams.

All school children who have missed their vaccination opportunity  will be contacted by the health board. For dates and locations please visit our dedicated webpage: School Nursing Immunisations - Hywel Dda University Health Board (opens in new tab). 

For home schooled pupils  and young adults, up to 25 years of age, who have not had the Men ACWY vaccine, you are eligible for vaccination by contacting your GP practice.

This vaccine will protect against common meningitis strains but does not include Men B coverage. Please see social media or webpage information from your GP surgery regarding whether to contact them for vaccination or if they are a surgery proactively contacting eligible patients.

While there is currently no evidence of increased risk to anyone in Wales, we would like to take this opportunity to make you aware of the signs and symptoms of Meningitis.

These include fever, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, a rash which does not fade when pressed, drowsiness, confusion, cold hands and feet and limb pain. Please seek urgent help if you are concerned. 

Please contact NHS 111 NHS 111 Wales - Homepage (opens in new tab) or the Public Health Wales website Home - Public Health Wales (opens in new tab) if you need further guidance.