The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has sounded the alarm after recording a significant rise in mental health sick days across the workforce of the National Health Service (NHS) — particularly among children, young adults and university students. According to UKHSA data, 378 cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) were confirmed in the epidemiological year 2024-25, up from 340 the year before. The strain MenB accounted for around 90 percent of infections in infants and all those in the 15-19 age cohort.
Health authorities noted that students living in communal settings and close-contact environments are especially at risk of meningitis and septicaemia, making the recent increase in IMD cases a serious concern. Experts attribute part of the rise to falling vaccination uptake among infants and teenagers. Coming after the Covid restrictions, this rebound in cases follows a period of suppressed numbers during the pandemic.
Strain predominance and vaccination challenges
The latest reports show that MenB continues to dominate IMD cases — between January and March 2025, the UKHSA confirmed that 106 of the 127 invasive cases (83.5 %) were due to MenB, with the remaining cases spread among MenW, MenY and ungrouped strains. This dominance is consistent with earlier data showing MenB represented 88 percent of all cases in 2023-24. Meanwhile, the longstanding success of vaccinating against the MenC strain means cases of MenC are now very rare — a 99 percent drop since the introduction of the MenC programme.
Symptoms, risks and the urgency of timely immunisation
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord; when caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, it can lead to blood poisoning (septicemia) and progress within hours. Symptoms include high fever, vomiting, muscle pain, stiff neck, rash, and sensitivity to light. Survivors may suffer hearing loss, seizures, amputations or lifelong cognitive or communication difficulties. Vaccination remains the most effective defence against severe outcomes. UKHSA spokespersons emphasise that people eligible for vaccination should get it without delay and that healthcare providers are urging schools, universities and parents to ensure full immunisation.
Why the timing matters — the post-pandemic rebound
IMD cases in the UK dropped sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic due to social restrictions, but began to rebound after lifting measures in 2021 and 2022. Experts note that although numbers have not universally exceeded pre-pandemic peaks, the resurgence highlights vulnerability among younger age groups and the need to maintain high vaccine coverage. Moreover, changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule in 2025 (including adjustments to MenB dosing) indicate that public-health authorities are adapting to shifting epidemiology.
What needs to be done
Public-health specialists say the focus must be on boosting vaccine uptake among infants and teens, improving awareness of symptoms and ensuring prompt treatment of suspected cases. For universities and other communal living settings, additional vigilance, rapid access to antibiotics, and clear outbreak management protocols are critical. Falling short on any of these fronts could lead to increased morbidity, preventable deaths, and long-term disability in those infected.
