Many of you have contacted us for advice following the outbreak of meningitis (MenB) in Kent and we understand you might feel anxious. This web page aims to answer many of your questions and provide guidance.
The UK Health Security Agency has the latest information about the outbreak. You will find important and relevant information and advice there including:
- What is meningococcal disease?
- What are the signs and symptoms?
- Who is being offered antibiotics and the vaccine?
- What can I do to protect myself if I am not in the locality affected by the outbreak?
What you need to do as a transplant patient
If you are on immunosuppressive treatment, you should follow standard infection‑prevention measures at all times. You should take these steps as part of your normal daily life, not only during the MenB outbreak.
These include:
• washing your hands often
• avoiding people who have infections
• wearing a mask in crowded places
• avoiding crowded places when possible
If you are offered preventative antibiotics, you are strongly advised to take them as soon as possible.
Do not take an antibiotic called rifampicin
If you have had a transplant, you must not take rifampicin. It can interact dangerously with your immunosuppression medicines.
If you are unsure, please check with your transplant team before taking any antibiotics. Please contact us for advice if you need it. This will enable you to start your antibiotic treatment as quickly as possible.
Contact us
You can contact us by calling Harefield Hospital.
Phone: 01895 823 737 and ask for the on‑call transplant doctor.
From Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, you can also ask for the transplant pharmacist.
Please note: Routine vaccination for transplanted patients is not currently recommended if you do not live in the Kent area and/or have not been offered prophylactic antibiotics
If this advice changes, we will contact you if needed.