The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently investigating an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease in the Canterbury area of Kent. A number of patients have contacted the practice regarding this, and we would like to provide reassurance and share the latest public health advice.
At present, this outbreak is localised to Kent, and there is no evidence of wider community spread in London. The UKHSA is actively managing the situation and contacting those considered to be at higher risk directly.
All updates to the situation are being published here.
New concerns have been raised about COVID vaccine hesitancy in pregnant women. New research shows that the Delta variant is more likely to cause severe illness in this group. 99% of pregnant women in hospital with COVID are unvaccinated.
If you are pregnant, we recommend that you have the Pfizer vaccine. Please see information on gov.uk.
We recommend vaccination to all of our pregnant patients.