Still 'very low risk' of meningitis outbreak on Island

Cabinet Office minister not planning any change in policy amid UK deaths

Government insists there's still a very low risk of a meningitis outbreak on the Isle of Man.

It's after two students died of the disease in Kent last month.

Of the 20 confirmed cases there, all needed hospital treatment with nine placed in intensive care. 

Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford has been responding to a written Tynwald question about the Island's stock of vaccines and the potential risk of an outbreak here.

He says we have sufficient stocks of relevant vaccines, and there's been no change to our vaccination policy or the Island's preparedness arrangements.

When responding to potential gaps in immunisation, Mr Ashford argues they're due to gaps in uptake rather than vaccine availability, and the focus remains on maintaining strong routine coverage and improving uptake and catch-up where appropriate.

He also emphasised that vaccination is still one of the most effective public health interventions we have, and encouraged all members not only to support vaccination, but to avoid amplifying anti-vaccine rhetoric, which he says risks undermining public confidence and making any gaps harder to close.

Finally, Mr Ashford insists the risk of an outbreak while students are home for the Easter break is very low, and 'certainly not impacted by the recent outbreak in Kent.

He says meningococcal disease doesn't spread easily without close and prolonged contact.

Despite admitting university students, and particularly first years, are a recognised higher risk group compared with their peers, it doesn't mean there is a material increased risk to the wider Isle of Man population at this time.

Mr Ashford says there is no evidence before him which suggests any change in risk here that would warrant a change in policy.

You can find the full written answer here.