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Pharmacies are battling supply constraints amid a surge in demand for meningitis vaccinations, the National Pharmacy Association has warned as health secretary Wes Streeting shared details of the recent outbreak in Kent. 

A snap survey of 300 pharmacies carried out by the NPA showed that 87 per cent have seen “considerable rises” in parents coming to them requesting meningitis vaccinations for their children since initial reports of the outbreak, which has claimed the lives of two young people.  

The demand for vaccines is “far exceeding supply available from wholesalers, which is being carefully managed” said the trade body. 

According to the NPA, some pharmacies received 30 to 40 requests for bookings this morning (Tuesday March 17), as well as requests from individuals “pre-emptively trying to order antibiotics”. 

NPA chair Olivier Picard said: “Pharmacies are getting unprecedented levels of requests for meningitis vaccinations and many are unable to order in supplies from wholesalers. 

“We understand many patients, including parents with older teenagers, will be concerned by this situation and will be keen to vaccinate themselves or their loved ones.

“However, pharmacies are having to manage constrained levels of supply and many have told us they cannot order in new stock.

“We urge patients to be courteous and understanding towards their pharmacy teams, who are doing their best to manage very constrained stock levels on top of managing a busy pharmacy.” 

Addressing the House of Commons today, Wes Streeting confirmed that four cases of group B meningococcal disease have been identified with a further 11 cases under investigation. Most cases have been linked to the Club Chemistry nightclub in Kent. 

Mr Streeting said the UK Health Security Agency has set up a “full scale response” including preparing for widespread distribution of antibiotics on the University of Kent campus.

He told the Commons that 700 doses have so far been administered and that 11,000 doses are available across four centres in Canterbury, adding: “The strain associated with this outbreak is meningitis B, known as MenB.

“It is uncommon, and as we have seen, a serious and potentially lethal strain of meningococcal disease." 

Independent Pharmacies Association CEO Leyla Hannbeck commented: "The strain has now been confirmed to be Meningitis B which means that those born before 2015, teenagers and young adults, have not been vaccinated against it.

"The Independent Pharmacies Association is calling on the NHS to urgently commission pharmacies to deliver a nationwide catch-up vaccination programme targeted at university students and teenagers born before 2015. There is not a moment to be lost in protecting young people across the country.

Read more: Clinical Q&A: Meningitis