Several vaccines protect against certain forms of meningitis, including two that specifically target invasive meningococcal group B infections, responsible for an outbreak that has killed two people in southeast England.
Meningitis is an infection of the spinal cord and meninges (thin membranes surrounding the brain) caused by several types of viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Rarer than viral meningitis, "bacterial meningitis is the most dangerous form of the disease and can lead to death within 24 hours without prompt treatment," according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Approximately 201,300 people who contract bacterial meningitis develop long-term complications, including lasting disabilities such as deafness.
Meningococcal meningitis
Meningococcal meningitis (another name for the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis) is a form of bacterial meningitis.
It is easily transmitted through respiratory secretions or saliva – coughs, spitting, sneezing, kissing – via close and prolonged contact.
It tends to spread epidemically, with young people being most at risk. In England, 29 cases were reported on Friday. In France, one person returning from the Canterbury region, where the outbreak began, was hospitalized.
Sensitivity to light, severe headaches, fever, vomiting, stiff neck and altered mental state are among the signs that may raise concern.
The mortality rate from bacterial meningitis is 101 per 100,0 ...
However, most cases and deaths due to meningitis could be prevented by vaccination, the WHO points out.
There are different types of meningitis (or serogroups), identified by the letters A, C, W and Y. The deaths that occurred in England were due to meningitis B.
Vaccination against meningitis B
In the United Kingdom, infants have been vaccinated against meningococcus B since 2015, but not generations born before that date.
In France, this vaccine was recommended for infants from 2022 and has been mandatory since January 1, 2025.
The French National Authority for Health (HAS) has also been advocating since March 2025 a transitional catch-up for children between 2 and 5 years old who have never received it.
She did not recommend it for teenagers but wished for it to be reimbursed to all 15-24 year olds who wish to receive it.
Vaccines available
The Bexsero vaccine from the British laboratory GSK is intended to protect from the age of 2 months against invasive infection due to meningococcus B.
Authorised in Europe since early 2013, Bexsero is manufactured in particular at its production site in Rosia, Italy.
GSK estimates the vaccination coverage in France with Bexsero to be around 90% in 0-2 year olds, between 60 and 70% in 2-4 year olds and around 3% in 15-24 year olds.
The other vaccine indicated against meningococcal strain B, Trumenba, from the American laboratory Pfizer, has an authorization for those over 10 years of age.
It is manufactured at its site in Puurs, Belgium.
In France, Trumenba is also available for 15- to 24-year-olds. Like the Bexsero vaccine, it is reimbursed at 65% by the national health insurance.
Antibiotic treatment
In all cases of meningococcal infections, preventive antibiotic treatment, possibly supplemented by vaccination, is recommended for those in close contact with the patient.
On the University of Kent campus, British health authorities have distributed more than 9,000 doses of antibiotics and vaccinated 2,360 students, also targeting anyone who had frequented the Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury, where the majority of cases were recorded.
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