Hello Forum members - you’ve probably seen the news about the Meningitis B (MenB) outbreak in Canterbury and East Kent over the past few days. If you have blood cancer or something else that affects your immune system, it’s understandable to feel anxious about it - so below is a summary of what the current guidance actually says, and what it might mean for you.
What is MenB?
MenB is a bacterial form of meningitis - an infection of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. It’s serious, but it’s also rare, and it doesn’t spread as easily as something like Covid or measles. It needs close, prolonged contact - living with someone, or kissing, for example. You are unlikely to catch it from brief contact such as on a bus, or brushing by someone in passing.
What’s happening?
Most of the cases so far have been linked to a nightclub in Canterbury - Club Chemistry - with people becoming ill after visiting between 5 and 7 March, or through close contact with someone who did. The UKHSA is publishing daily updates on case numbers, and a targeted vaccination programme has started for students living in halls at the University of Kent. For the most up-to-date picture of what’s happening - including the latest on antibiotics and vaccines - the UKHSA’s dedicated blog post is the best place to check.
What should you do?
There isn’t any specific guidance for people with weakened immune systems right now beyond the general UKHSA advice, so it depends on your situation:
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If you’re in Canterbury or East Kent and think you’ve been in close contact with someone who has (or might have) meningitis: get to one of the local treatment centres for antibiotics, and let your hospital team or GP know. Current clinic locations are on the Kent and Medway ICB page, which is being updated regularly.
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If you’re elsewhere in the UK and think you’ve been in close contact with someone who has (or might have) meningitis: call your hospital team, GP, or NHS 111. Your GP can prescribe preventative antibiotics if you need them.
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If you have symptoms, don’t wait - call 999 or go to A&E. You can read our guidance on what to say when you get there.
Symptoms to look out for
These can come on suddenly and don’t always show up together or in the same order:
- high temperature
- vomiting
- severe headache
- a rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is pressed against it (though this doesn’t always appear)
- stiff neck
- sensitivity to light
- drowsiness or being unresponsive
- seizures
The NHS meningitis page has more on symptoms and what to expect.
Vaccinations
If you have no spleen, or one that doesn’t work properly, you may be offered vaccines against MenB and other types of meningitis - it’s worth checking with your team that you’re up to date.
You can often check your vaccination record via the NHS app or NHS patient web account, but if you can’t find it there then your GP will have your record.
You can also read our general information about blood cancer and infection.
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If you’ve got questions, or you just want to talk through how you’re feeling about all of this, please do reply below - I’ll do my best to pass questions on to the wonderful experts at Blood Cancer UK 
This information is accurate as of 19/03/26.