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Meningitis Research Foundation

@meningitis_research

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📣 Advocating for defeating meningitis
🌎 Co-ordinating World Meningitis Day
💜 Co-creating the #MeningitisFlag

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What caused the MenB outbreak in Kent earlier this year? It’s a question we’ve been asked repeatedly as we helped thousands of people across the UK, answering urgent questions, sharing trusted health guidance, offering emotional support and countering misinformation.

Now, new research from UKHSA, the University of Oxford and a collaboration of academic institutions is helping to answer exactly this question, explaining what made Kent’s MenB outbreak so severe.

As the research is published, our Chief Executive, Vinny Smith, has reflected on what these findings mean for the UK’s meningitis outbreak preparedness and the need to protect young people:

“The Kent outbreak was a devastating reminder of the impact meningitis can have on people. These findings help us understand more about what happened but they also show just how difficult outbreaks like this are to predict.

Good surveillance and a rapid public health response are vital when meningitis cases occur. But we also need to do everything we can to protect people before an outbreak happens. We know MenB vaccination works and what happened in Kent earlier this year has, once again, highlighted the gap in protection for the UK’s teens and young adults.

The JCVI has recommended routine MenB vaccination at around age 15 as well as strongly supporting vaccination for young people who would otherwise miss out between current and future programmes. We want to see that advice implemented so this gap in protection is closed. We can’t know where the next outbreak will happen. That’s why it’s so important that young people are protected before it does.”

🔗Link to the preprint in the comments.

#Meningitis #MenB Vinny Smith, Chief Executive of Meningitis Research Foundation discusses the importance of protecting young people from future MenB outbreaks during a presentation. He is in a grey suit at a podium, speaking into a microphone with a screen behind him. by @meningitis_research

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24 days ago

📢 MenB news alert

The UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended routine MenB vaccination at around age 15 for those born on or after 1st May 2015.

After more than a decade of campaigning, this is a major step towards closing the UK’s MenB protection gap. 💜

Now we need the UK Government to accept, fund and deliver this recommendation plus act on the JCVI’s strong support for a two-dose MenB vaccine offer for teens who would otherwise miss out.

Because we believe no teenager or family should be left behind.

Head over to the link in our bio to read our full statement 👉

#MenB #Meningitis #PublicHealth #HealthPolicy Graphic with text urging action, funding and delivery in response to JCVI recommendations on UK MenB protection, featuring a family icon. by @meningitis_research

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3 months ago

Juliette Kenny lost her life to meningitis. She died in the Kent outbreak.

Amid their devastating loss, Juliette’s family have released a statement with us. Why? Because they want the urgent need for better access to a MenB vaccine for teenagers and young adults to no longer be ignored.

Having campaigned on this issue since 2015, we stand with them. Meaningful change is what matters now, so this can be Juliette’s legacy.

Read the full story: head over to the link in our bio.

#Meningitis #MeningitisAwareness #DefeatMeningitis by @meningitis_research

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7 months ago

Can the MenB vaccine prevent meningitis? Here's what you need to know ⬇️

The MenB vaccine helps protect against Meningococcal B (MenB) bacteria – the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK.

But it's important to be aware that:

✔️ Meningitis can be caused by different bacteria and viruses.

✔️ No single vaccine protects against every cause of meningitis.

️️✔️Not all types of the disease can be prevented by vaccination.

So, it’s important to know the signs.

⚠️ If you think someone may have meningitis, trust your instincts and seek urgent medical advice. Early treatment can save lives.

Head to the link in our bio.

#MenB Does the MenB vaccine prevent meningitis? by @meningitis_research

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3 days ago

It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas 🎄

Spread a little festive cheer with our Christmas cards while helping us defeat meningitis. 💌

Choose from six festive designs, with:
🎅 Packs of 10 cards for £4.25
🎄 Mixed packs of 20 cards for £3
🧦 Jumpers and slippers double packs for £1.50

Every purchase helps us continue our work to defeat meningitis.

Order your Christmas cards from our online shop by Friday 11th December for UK delivery, or Friday 27th November for overseas orders.

Shop the full range on our online shop via the link in our bio.

#DefeatMeningitis by @meningitis_research

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7 days ago

Yesterday, the world came together for World Meningitis Day. 🌎

Thank you to everyone who shared their story, raised awareness, helped Light the Road Ahead and called for change.

It proved that when we act together, our voices are louder and our impact is greater.

The day may be over, but the movement continues.

Together, we can defeat meningitis. 💜

#WorldMeningitisDay Heart-shaped word cloud featuring 'Thank You' in multiple languages with colorful text on a white background. by @meningitis_research

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10 days ago

🕯️We're helping to light the road ahead for World Meningitis Day.

As the world moves through different time zones, people across the globe are lighting up landmarks, homes and communities at 8:30pm local time, creating a powerful wave of remembrance, reflection and hope.

Together, we remember those we've lost, stand alongside everyone living with the impact of meningitis, and shine a light of hope for a future free from this devastating disease.

Every light tells a story.

Every light inspires hope.

Every light is a step towards a future free from meningitis.

Together we can defeat meningitis. 🌍✨💜

#WorldMeningitisDay #DefeatMeningitis Candle with a Meningitis Flag in front of it by @meningitis_research

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10 days ago

Meningitis is more than just a rash.

Would you be able to spot the symptoms?

Share this post - it could save a life.

Learn more: https://www.worldmeningitisday.org?utm_source=social&utm_medium=MRF-facebook&utm_campaign=0926organic&utm_id=wmd2026

#WorldMeningitisDay #DefeatMeningitis World Meningitis Day toolkit asset highlighting the signs and symptoms of meningitis by @meningitis_research

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11 days ago

“A year before I got ill, my brother, Saul, also had meningitis. He had the same strain, MenB, and his symptoms were similar – he felt like he had the flu, was extremely drowsy and deteriorated quickly.”

Brothers Drew and Saul both had MenB as teenagers, one year apart. Thankfully, both recovered with no after-effects.

Following the recent MenB outbreak in Kent, Drew and Saul’s story is a reminder to know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and, if eligible, take up the one-off MenB vaccination offer. 🛡️

Today, on World Meningitis Day, we're putting the spotlight on the voices of those affected by meningitis through Meningitis in your words. 💜

Every story shared helps raise awareness and shows why action is urgently needed.

Read Drew and Saul’s story and share your own via the link in our bio.

#WorldMeningitisDay Drew and Saul Darlington by @meningitis_research

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11 days ago

🌍 It's World Meningitis Day.

Meningitis is a medical emergency.

It strikes without warning and changes lives forever.

Today, people around the world are raising their voices for everyone whose life has been touched by meningitis.

✨ Every story shared, every voice raised and every action taken brings us one step closer to a world free from meningitis.

Join the movement today:

🗣️ Share your story

💡 Light the road ahead

📢 Spread life-saving awareness

🔗 Tap the link in our bio to learn more.

#WorldMeninigitisDay People participating in a public awareness walk to mark World Meningitis Day are carrying educational posters on meningitis symptoms and prevention. by @meningitis_research

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11 days ago

🗓️ Tomorrow is World Meningitis Day (5th October).

Join people around the world to raise awareness.

💜 Tell your story

💡 Help light the road

📢 Spread awareness using our free campaign materials.

Now is the time for action.

Head to worldmeningitisday.org to get involved.

#WorldMeningitisDay World Meningitis Day graphic encouraging action to defeat meningitis. Highlights three ways to get involved: help light the road ahead, tell your story and share campaign toolkit materials. Includes the message: “Defeating meningitis starts with you” and the date 5th October. by @meningitis_research

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12 days ago

💜 Meningitis can change a life in an instant. Its impact can last a lifetime.

⚠️ 1 in 5 people who survive bacterial meningitis will live with lifelong after-effects, including hearing loss, brain injury, epilepsy and limb loss.

Behind every statistic is a person. A family. A future changed forever.

🌍 This World Meningitis Day, let's raise awareness, amplify the voices of those affected and demand the action needed to defeat meningitis.

Now is the time for action.

💜 Join the movement. Share this post and help spread the word.

#WorldMeningitisDay #DefeatMeningitis Infographic highlighting the life-long impacts of meningitis, including brain injury, hearing loss, depression, and kidney damage on survivors. by @meningitis_research

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14 days ago