Following the outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in the South East, advice, guidance and resources are available for GP Practices across north central London. 

Refer to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) alert which outlines the recommended courses of action to manage cases with infection and contacts.

Key points from UKHSA on prevention and protection

Immediate case management

Patients with IMD may present with septicaemia and/or meningitis. Meningococcal sepsis should be considered in a rapidly deteriorating patient with sepsis even in the absence of a non-blanching rash, which is usually a late sign. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion where a young person aged 16 to 30 attends with consistent signs or symptoms.

In a community setting, rapid admission to hospital is the highest priority when IMD is suspected. Transporting to hospital should not be delayed in order to get or give antibiotics.

Initial treatment recommendations are as follows (full treatment regimens will be commenced during hospital admission):

Immediate single dose of IV/IM ceftriaxone for suspected meningococcal infections (Ceftriaxone, Drugs, BNFC, NICE):

Alternatively, immediate single dose of IV/IM benzylpenicillin sodium for suspected meningococcal infections where it is not possible to administer ceftriaxone (Benzylpenicillin sodium, Drugs, BNF, NICE):

Notifying UKHSA

All suspected cases of invasive meningococcal disease are statutorily notifiable by registered medical practitioners to the responsible UKHSA health protection team, without waiting for laboratory confirmation.

Notify UKHSA by contacting your health protection team.

Eligible contacts

If eligible contacts present and have not received prophylaxis, prescribe ciprofloxacin as per national guidance:

• adults/children ≥12 years: 500mg stat 
• children 5-11 years: 250mg stat 
• children 1-4 years: 125mg stat 
• infants <1 year: 30mg/kg (max 125mg stat, off-label use).

If ciprofloxacin is unsuitable, refer to national guidance for alternatives.  

Vaccination advice

There are no additional vaccination recommendations beyond the routine NHS schedule. Usual vaccination pathways should continue, and uptake should be encouraged.

Vaccines that help protect against causes of meningitis and septicaemia:

• MenB: 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 1 year
• 6-in-1: 8, 12, 16 weeks
• Pneumococcal: 16 weeks, 1 year, single dose at 65+
• Hib/MenC: 1 year (if born on or before 30 June 2024)
• MMR: 1 year and 18 months
• MenACWY: 13-14 years.

MenB and MenACWY are separate vaccines

• MenB was added to the infant schedule in 2015.
• Teenagers and young adults born before 1 May 2015 will not have received MenB as part of routine NHS vaccination.

Missed vaccines

• Children can receive missed MenB doses free of charge before age 2. MMR/MMRV can be given at any age.
• Teenagers and students (including international students) can access free catch up MenACWY and MMR through their GP.
• There is no NHS MenB catch up for those born before 1 May 2015.

Private MenB vaccination

Available through private providers for those over 2 years, the course is two doses.

Resources

MenB does not protect against all strains, so awareness of symptoms remains essential. UKHSA and NHS informational resources (including co-badged materials with Meningitis Now) are available to download to support conversations with patients.

This item was updated on 20 March 2026 to highlight UKHSA alert for the recommended courses of action to manage cases with infection and contacts.

This item was updated on 19 March 2026 to highlight UKHSA prescribing advice for eligible contacts who have not received prophylaxis.