meninngitis B
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Meningitis B in the UK: What English Patients in Spain Need to Know

Recent news from the UK has highlighted a concerning outbreak of meningitis B (MenB) in Kent, England. While outbreaks of this kind remain rare, they serve as an important reminder of how serious this infection can be—and how valuable vaccination is in protecting yourself and your family.

At Atlantic clinic, we are already speaking with many British patients who either travel regularly to the UK or have children studying there. Here’s what you need to know.

A recent outbreak in the UK

In March 2026, health authorities identified a cluster of meningitis B cases centred around Canterbury in Kent. At the time of writing, there have been over 20 confirmed cases and several additional probable cases, with two tragic deaths reported.

The outbreak has mainly affected teenagers and young adults, particularly students, and has been linked to close-contact settings.

UK health officials responded quickly with antibiotics, contact tracing, and an expanded vaccination campaign targeting those at highest risk.

Although the situation is being brought under control, experts emphasise that meningitis can spread rapidly and unpredictably, and vigilance remains essential.

What is meningitis B?

Meningitis B is a serious bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. It can lead to:

  • Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain)
  • Sepsis (blood poisoning)

These conditions can develop quickly and may be life-threatening if not treated urgently.

While rare, MenB is the most common strain of meningococcal disease in the UK.

How is it spread?

Meningitis B is not highly contagious, but it spreads through close, prolonged contact, such as:

  • Living in the same household
  • Kissing
  • Sharing drinks, cigarettes, or vapes

This is why outbreaks are often seen in schools, universities, and social settings.

Symptoms to watch for

Early symptoms can be non-specific, but may include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Neck stiffness
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Confusion
  • A rash that does not fade when pressed

Symptoms can worsen rapidly, so urgent medical attention is essential if meningitis is suspected.

Who is most at risk?

Higher-risk groups include:

  • Babies and young children
  • Teenagers and young adults (especially students)
  • People living in shared accommodation
  • Anyone in close contact with a confirmed case

Many adults and teenagers in the UK were never routinely vaccinated against MenB, as the vaccine was only introduced into the infant schedule in 2015.

The role of vaccination

The meningitis B vaccine provides important protection against this potentially life-threatening infection.

During the current outbreak, UK authorities have:

  • Offered vaccination to students and close contacts
  • Expanded eligibility to additional age groups in affected areas

This reflects the key role vaccination plays in controlling outbreaks and preventing severe illness.

Why this matters if you live in Spain

Even if you live on the Costa del Sol, or elsewhere in Spain, this issue is highly relevant if:

  • You travel regularly to the UK
  • Your children attend school or university there
  • You have family members in affected areas

Meningitis can spread through travel and social contact, so protection is not just a local issue.

Meningitis B vaccination in Marbella

At Atlantic clinic, we offer the meningitis B vaccine for both children and adults.

We commonly see:

  • Parents vaccinating teenagers before university
  • Families preparing for travel to the UK
  • Adults seeking added protection after hearing about recent outbreaks

Vaccination is a simple and effective step that can provide reassurance—especially during periods of increased risk.

For those never vaccinated, the complete course is 2 doses of the vaccine at least 1 month apart.

For those previously vaccinated, but at-risk, a single booster vaccine can be given.

The cost of each vaccine is 162€.

Final thoughts

The current UK outbreak is a reminder that while meningitis is uncommon, its impact can be severe and sudden.

If you or your family have connections to the UK, it may be worth considering vaccination—particularly for teenagers and young adults.

If you would like personalised advice or to book a meningitis B vaccine, our team at Atlantic Clinic is here to help.

 

For more information or appointments, please contact our clinic directly.

Call us (+34) 952 81 7425 or send a message (+34) 616 83 0988.

admin Uncategorized, Uncategorized, Vaccines

Why should we be vaccinating children against HPV?

Four out of five people will get HPV at some time in their lives and yet most of them do not even know they are infected!

We know that most (not all) HPV infections go away on their own, with no health complications that persist. However, we don’t know which of those infections will turn into cancer. Therefore, the best way to prevent HPV infection and the potential cancers it can cause is to get vaccinated. With the vaccine, we can reduce the risk of six different types of cancer:

  • Cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer in women
  • Penile cancer in men
  • Throat cancers in men and women
  • Anus cancer in men and women
  • Genital warts in men and women
  • At what age should we get vaccinated?

It is recommended to administer the HPV vaccine before children are exposed to the virus, that is, before having sex. The vaccination age is usually at 11 or 12 years of age, but you can start getting vaccinated as soon as at 9 years old. It is ideal that the vaccination schedule be completed by reaching 13 years of age since at that young age the body develops more protection against HPV than in the last years of adolescence and the first years after having completed 20 years of age.

What is the HPV vaccination schedule?

If the first dose is given before the age of 15: only two separate injections / doses of 6 to 12 months will be needed

In contrast, children who receive the first injection of the vaccine series at age 15 or older, and those with weakened immune systems will need three injections of the HPV vaccine. The three injections will be administered according to the following schedule: the 2nd dose 2 months after the first and the 3rd dose between 6 and 12 months after the 1st dose.

What side effects may appear?

The most common side effects of the vaccine are mild, and are the same as those that may occur after the administration of other vaccines: fever, headache, as well as pain and redness in the arm where the injection was given.

Children and adolescents who are allergic to yeast or who are allergic to any other component of the vaccine that causes anaphylaxis should not receive the HPV vaccine.

Will my insurance cover the costs of vaccination?

Most medical insurance covers the cost of the HPV vaccine series but depends on each company, so it is best to contact your insurer directly.

Without financing, the public sale price of each dose of Gardasil 9 is 175 euros

 

Bérénice Ibarra Ottino

admin Uncategorized, Uncategorized, Vaccines

The Flu: All you need to know

The flu is a contagious respiratory disease. Caused by a virus, it is transmitted very easily through the air (coughing and sneezing), hands or through contaminated objects. To prevent its spread we must take some basic hygiene measures (hand washing, sneezing into the inner elbow or in a handkerchief, airing the house regularly, …).

There are several types of influenza viruses

As stated by the World Health Organization (WHO), there are four types of seasonal influenza virus: A, B, C and D.

– Types A and B are the cause of seasonal epidemics, hence they are included in vaccines.

-C viruses are detected less frequently and also cause only minor infections.

– Type D viruses do not affect humans, only cattle.

 

Is it necessary to get vaccinated every year?

The flu virus has a high mutation capacity and the types of flu viruses that circulate are changing from year to year. Thus, our defenses cannot recognize and protect us, which can cause disease again every new winter season.

For this reason, every year  a different vaccine is made, adapted to the changes that the virus has experienced and to those strains that are circulating. WHO, after studying the reports of epidemiological surveillance centers spread throughout the world, decides each year what will be the composition of vaccines to protect us in the most effective way.

 

What vaccines to choose?

In Spain, both trivalent influenza vaccines and tetravalent vaccines and only injectable preparations are available.

The difference between the trivalent flu vaccine and the tetravalent vaccine lies in the number of influenza virus strains included in it.

-The trivalent vaccine contains three strains every year: two of type A and one of type B.

-The tetravalent vaccine includes four: two of type A and two of type B, of which one is of the B / Victoria lineage and another of the B / Yamagata.

To an extent it is difficult to know in advance which lineage the B strains circulating during the season will belong to, but the tetravalent vaccine allows to increase the level of protection. In addition, tetravalent vaccines have shown in studies to be as safe as trivalent vaccines. This means that they can be used, both one and the other, in the same situations.

 

What vaccine is recommended to use?

Given the level of scientific evidence available, the AEP Vaccine Advisory Committee advises, preferably and whenever available, tetravalent influenza vaccines. Of course, if you do not have access to it, the recommendation is to administer trivalent vaccines.

 

Who should get vaccinated?

Children from 6 months to 4 years (59 months);
People 50 years of age and older (because they are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions that put them at high risk of presenting a serious case of influenza disease).
People with chronic lung diseases (such as asthma), heart disease (except hypertension), kidney, liver, hematological, neurological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus);
People immunosuppressed for any cause (including immunosuppression caused by medications or the human immunodeficiency virus);
Women who are pregnant or will be during the flu season and women who gave birth until two weeks ago;
Persons 6 months to 18 years of age who receive medications containing aspirin or salicylates and who are at risk of having Reye’s syndrome after influenza virus infection;
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities;
Native Americans / Alaska Natives
people with morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher);
health care staff;
People in contact with low mobility people at home and caregivers of children under 5 and adults over 50. Special emphasis on people who are in contact with children under 6 months or with people with certain medical conditions that put them at increased risk of serious complications from influenza.

 

 Special consideration about egg allergy

People allergic to eggs can receive any approved influenza vaccine recommended and according to their age (IIV, RIV4 or LAIV4). People with a clinical history of severe egg allergy (those who have had other symptoms besides hives after being exposed to eggs) should receive the influenza vaccine in a medical setting and under the supervision of a health care provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic reactions.

Bérénice Ibarra Ottino