Response to the meningitis cases in Canterbury

We are continuing to meet with relevant parties (such as UKHSA and our counterparts at University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, as well as Universities UK and the Department of Education) to ensure we are up to date with guidance on how best to keep our students and wider community safe during the meningitis outbreak in Kent. 

19 March 2026

An aerial view of the UCA Canterbury campus

We are still not aware of any cases at UCA and our Canterbury campus in Kent remains open in line with UKHSA guidance.  

However, we continue to support students who would prefer not to come onto the Canterbury campus at this time. Any notified absences this week (w/c 16 March) will be recorded as Authorised Absence and will not affect their attendance record.   

UKHSA advises that the nature of this strain of meningitis means that it is transmitted differently from other public health issues many people are familiar with, such as coronavirus. The meningococcal disease does not spread easily, so the risk of transmission for most people is very low. 

Information has been published regards precautionary antibiotics for key groups. People outside of the groups below are not advised to receive antibiotics unless they are experiencing symptoms.   

The groups who can obtain antibiotics now importantly include:  

  • Anyone who visited Club Chemistry on 5, 6 and/or 7 March 2026 including Club Chemistry staff  
  • Close household contacts of cases who have been identified by UKHSA or who self-identify as having contact with a confirmed case  
  • As well as all students and staff living on campus at University of Kent 

Temporary antibiotic clinics   

  •  Senate Building, University of Kent, CT2 7NZ: Open daily from 9am to 5pm
  • Gate Clinic, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury CT1 3NG : Open daily from 8.30am to 7.30pm 
  • Thanet Community Health Hub, Northwood Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2WA : Open daily from 8.30am to 8pm (last patient 7.30pm)
  • Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BT: Open daily from 8.30am to 7.30pm 
  • Vicarage Lane Clinic, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1NJ: Open Thursday 19 March from 8.30am to 7.30pm 
  • James Williams Healthy Living Centre, Pentagon Centre, Military Road, Chatham, ME4 4HY: Thursday 19, Friday 20, Saturday, 21 March, 8.30am to 5.30pm and Sunday, 22 March: 10.30am to 2.30pm

There is currently no cemented plan regarding vaccinations, but we will update you as and when we have more information. 

We will keep you up to date on the situation via this page, and we will continue to update students via email and the Student Portal.