Cases of invasive meningococcal disease are on the rise in the UK, with a significant increase in MenB infections among children and young adults, prompting renewed calls for vaccination and awareness.
Children and young adults in the UK are being urged to ensure they are vaccinated against infections that cause meningitis and blood poisoning, amid a worrying rise in cases of invasive meningococcal disease. Latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicate 378 cases of this serious bacterial infection in 2024-25, an increase from 340 cases the previous year, raising concern among public health officials and charities.
Meningitis, an infection targeting the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, most commonly affects infants, young children, teenagers, and young adults. If untreated, it can lead to life-threatening sepsis and long-term brain or nerve damage. Symptoms include high fever, vomiting, muscle and joint pain, mottled skin, headache, stiff neck, light sensitivity, and a characteristic rash.
A significant majority of cases last year—over 82%—were due to meningococcal group B (MenB), rising from 301 to 313 cases, with infants and teenagers disproportionately affected. MenB accounted for all 65 cases in patients aged 15 to 19 and was the dominant strain among those aged 25 and over. This surge comes amid a decline in vaccination uptake among infants and teenagers, according to UKHSA, leaving many more vulnerable to the disease.
Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of the charity Meningitis Now, described the rise as "deeply worrying," emphasising the critical importance of vigilance and vaccination. "Early recognition saves lives, but prevention through vaccines remains the most effective way to protect against this devastating disease," he said.
Public health officials also highlight the continuing success in almost eliminating meningococcal group C (MenC) disease following the introduction of routine NHS vaccinations in 1999. UKHSA reports a 99% decline in MenC cases, with only three cases recorded between July 2023 and June 2024. However, the persistence of MenB and the resurgence of disease underscore the need for renewed vaccination efforts and public awareness.
University and college students remain a particularly vulnerable group. About 13% of new students have reportedly missed their free MenACWY vaccine, which protects against four deadly meningitis strains, including MenC and MenW. Dr Helen Campbell, UKHSA's lead scientist, urged teenagers to receive their MenACWY vaccine at school or through other means as soon as possible, especially before entering higher education settings where the risk of infection is elevated.
Supporting this call, Dr Amanda Doyle from NHS England highlighted that "too many children and young people are still not fully vaccinated against meningitis—a debilitating disease that can strike quickly and cause life-changing health complications." She stressed the availability of free vaccines through the NHS and encouraged parents to ensure their children’s immunisations are up to date.
In addition to the standard NHS vaccination programmes, special advice has been issued for travellers heading to Saudi Arabia for religious pilgrimages like Hajj and Umrah. The UKHSA recommends the MenACWY vaccine to safeguard against meningococcal disease strains linked to travel, advising vaccination at least ten days prior to travel alongside vigilance for symptoms.
The vaccination schedule for MenB has recently changed; as of July 2025, babies receive the MenB vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks, with a booster at one year, replacing the previous 8 and 16-week interval. Meanwhile, the MenC vaccine was removed from the routine schedule for children born on or after 1 July 2024, reflecting the low incidence of that strain.
Meningitis charities, public health experts, and government agencies collectively warn that while advances have been made in controlling some strains, the ongoing rise in MenB cases is a critical public health issue. They stress that swift recognition of symptoms, prompt medical attention, and adherence to vaccination recommendations remain the strongest defence against this potentially fatal infection.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1] (The Independent), [6] (UKHSA/Meningitis Now)
- Paragraph 2 – [1] (The Independent), [6] (UKHSA/Meningitis Now)
- Paragraph 3 – [1] (The Independent), [6] (UKHSA/Meningitis Now)
- Paragraph 4 – [1] (The Independent), [6] (Meningitis Now)
- Paragraph 5 – [2] (UK Government)
- Paragraph 6 – [3] (UK Government), [5] (UK Health Security Agency)
- Paragraph 7 – [1] (The Independent), [6] (Meningitis Now)
- Paragraph 8 – [4] (UK Government)
- Paragraph 9 – [7] (Meningitis Research Foundation)
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports on a recent rise in meningitis cases in the UK, with 378 cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in 2024-25, an increase from 340 cases the previous year. This aligns with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data from October 2024, which reported 341 cases of IMD in England, with MenB responsible for 88% of all cases. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-on-brink-of-defeating-meningococcal-c?utm_source=openai)) The article also references a press release from Meningitis Now, dated 5 October 2025, urging vigilance and vaccination amid the surge in cases. ([hippocraticpost.com](https://www.hippocraticpost.com/infection-disease/worrying-rise-in-meningitis-cases/?utm_source=openai)) The narrative includes updated data on the rise in cases and vaccination recommendations, indicating a high freshness score. However, the core information about the rise in cases and the importance of vaccination has been reported in previous sources, suggesting some recycled content. The inclusion of recent data and quotes from health officials provides a level of originality. The narrative does not appear to be republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The presence of a press release from Meningitis Now adds credibility and timeliness to the information. Overall, the freshness score is high, but the recycled nature of some content warrants a slight reduction.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Dr Tom Nutt, Chief Executive of Meningitis Now, and Dr Helen Campbell, UKHSA's lead scientist. A search reveals that Dr Nutt's quote about the rise in cases being 'deeply worrying' and the importance of vigilance and vaccination has been used in previous reports, such as the one from 5 October 2025. ([hippocraticpost.com](https://www.hippocraticpost.com/infection-disease/worrying-rise-in-meningitis-cases/?utm_source=openai)) Dr Campbell's quote urging teenagers to receive their MenACWY vaccine at school or through other means as soon as possible also appears in earlier sources. The repetition of these quotes suggests they are not exclusive to this narrative, indicating a lower originality score. However, the inclusion of these quotes adds credibility and relevance to the current situation.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Independent, a reputable UK news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of health issues. The inclusion of data from UKHSA and quotes from health officials further enhances the reliability of the information. The presence of a press release from Meningitis Now, a well-established charity, adds additional credibility. Overall, the sources are reliable, contributing to a high source reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports a rise in meningitis cases in the UK, with 378 cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in 2024-25, an increase from 340 cases the previous year. This aligns with UKHSA data from October 2024, which reported 341 cases of IMD in England, with MenB responsible for 88% of all cases. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-on-brink-of-defeating-meningococcal-c?utm_source=openai)) The article also references a press release from Meningitis Now, dated 5 October 2025, urging vigilance and vaccination amid the surge in cases. ([hippocraticpost.com](https://www.hippocraticpost.com/infection-disease/worrying-rise-in-meningitis-cases/?utm_source=openai)) The narrative includes updated data on the rise in cases and vaccination recommendations, indicating a high level of plausibility. The consistent reporting across multiple reputable sources supports the credibility of the claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative provides timely and relevant information about the rise in meningitis cases in the UK, supported by data from reputable sources such as UKHSA and Meningitis Now. While some content appears to be recycled from previous reports, the inclusion of recent data and quotes from health officials adds originality and credibility. The sources are reliable, and the claims are plausible, leading to a high confidence in the overall assessment.
