Meningitis vaccine eligibility expanded after Kent outbreak rises to 27

To date, 600 meningitis B vaccines have been administered at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The government has announced a major expansion in vaccination against meningitis in Kent after seven new cases of the disease were confirmed in the county, taking the total number of cases to 27.

On a visit to the University of Kent, the health secretary, Wes Streeting, said anyone who attended the Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury from 5 March until 15 March should come forward for antibiotics and vaccination.