The Health Secretary confirmed the targeted meningitis B vaccine rollout in Kent will now be expanded, while warning that he expects the number of suspected cases to rise over the course of the next few days.
The immunisation programme originally targeted students living in University of Kent halls of residence in Canterbury to protect them from contracting meningitis B, Wes Streeting confirmed earlier this week.
So far, more than 900 individuals have been vaccinated as part of the rollout.
Speaking from Kent today, the Labour minister said: "We have seen an increase in cases reported today. We've now got 15 confirmed, 12 suspected cases and sadly, of course, we've had two tragic fatalities.
"I would expect that number to increase. A number of suspected cases to increase further in the coming days, as this has a seven to 10 day incubation period.
"And I would also expect that around the country we may see cases reported which are completely unrelated to the Canterbury outbreak, because we tend to have at least 350 meningitis B cases in any given year."
As a result of the widened eligibility, more students can receive antibiotics and the vaccine across the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University and four local schools.
Beforehand, the MP for Ilford North said: "Anyone who was at Club Chemistry in Canterbury from 5 March should come forward for both the antibiotics and the vaccine."
The latest data on the number of cases will be available on the UK Health Security Agency website at 9.30am every morning.
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