Health teams are continuing to monitor and respond to the situation. Currently, there is no requirement to change how we operate, but we will keep this under close review and update you if anything changes.

Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (blood poisoning). It can become life-threatening very quickly.

It spreads through close contact, such as coughing, sneezing, kissing or sharing drinks and utensils. It does not spread easily.

We would ask all students and parents/carers to read this important letter from the UKHSA with information on symptoms to look out for, how to protect young people at college and more.

Please note that the letter was originally written for parents, so it refers to “your child” meaning students at college.

Thanks for your co-operation.

Ben Jokiel

Group Director for Bracknell and Wokingham College

29/5/2026

Reference number 201280509

Dear Parent,

A child at Bracknell and Wokingham College has meningococcal disease

The child is in hospital getting the care they need. It does not spread easily in schools or colleges so the risk to your child is very low. Meningococcal disease happens when a bacteria (germ) enters the body. This germ can cause swelling around the brain, called meningitis. The germ can get into blood, called septicaemia. Both can be very serious if not treated early.

What you should do

Your child can go to college as normal. Meningococcal disease cannot spread easily to other children. Your child does not need antibiotics.

You should seek medical help if your child is sick with these symptoms (they can appear in any order and you do not always get all symptoms):

• High temperature
• Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
• being sick
• Seizures or fits
• Headache
• Diarrhoea (soft or liquid poo)
• Stiff neck
• Rash that does not fade when glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)
• Dislike of bright lights

Call NHS 111 if you have concerns. If you become very unwell and need urgent help call 999 for an ambulance.

How to protect your child

The best way to protect your child is with free NHS vaccines (injections).

The vaccines don’t protect from all types (strains) of this bacteria. We don’t know the strain at the Bracknell and Wokingham College yet. The NHS offers two main meningococcal vaccines: MenB and MenACWY.

• The MenB vaccine protects against meningococcal group B and is given routinely to babies at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and a booster at 1 year. Babies born on or after the 1st May 2015 were offered this vaccine on the NHS. Catch‑up is limited, as children who miss doses can usually receive them only up to the age of 2, with no routine NHS programme for older children or teenagers. Teenagers in the UK are not currently routinely offered the MenB vaccine because the programme is focused on protecting babies, who are at highest risk. For more information see the Men B vaccine factsheet.
• The MenACWY vaccine protects against meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y and is routinely offered to teenagers in school (typically in years 9–10, around age 13–15) as a single dose. A broader catch‑up programme is available for those who missed the vaccine, allowing vaccination up to the age of 25, with particular emphasis on young adults entering university who may be at higher risk. For more information see the Men ACWY vaccine factsheet.

How to check your childs vaccine history

You can confirm which vaccines your child has had already received by:

• Checking their Red Book (health record)
• Call their GP to check and book an appointment to catch up
• Looking for previous school immunisation emails sent via Cinnamon Digital
• Using the NHS App – guidance is available here: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/help/vaccinations/view-vaccinations/

About meningococcal disease

For more information, visit the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/

Or visit Meningitis Now https://www.meningitisnow.org/meningitis-explained/types-of-meningitis/meningococcal-disease/ this website has accessibility tools.

Contact us

If you have any questions or concerns about this letter, call us on 03442253861 using the reference number above.

UK Health Security Agency

South East Health Protection Team