Meningitis Research Foundation

13/04/2026

Recent news about meningitis cases is a reminder of the potential severity of these infections. 🦠

Vaccines protect against the most common and serious causes of disease, significantly reducing the risk of infection.

That’s why it’s so important to complete the full course of the Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine, which protects against one of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis in the UK.

The NHS are now offering a second vaccine dose for those in Kent who had the first dose: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxlyepd09no

Each dose on its own offers only limited protection, but together they build a stronger, longer-lasting immune response. 💪

Having all the recommended doses gives you (or your child) the best possible protection, for the longest possible time.

Find out more: https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/vaccines/meningococcal-vaccines/menb-vaccines/

Read about vaccination for MenB meningitis, including what vaccines are available, who is eligible for them and how to get them.

13/04/2026

Meningitis is a serious, often life-threatening illness that can kill in hours. ⏱️

Every year, around 2.3 million people worldwide are affected.

Wondering about:

➡️How it’s treated?

➡️Who is most at risk?

➡️Whether it can be prevented?

Get all your questions answered and access trusted health information at: www.meningitis.org

Meningitis Research Foundation funds pioneering research, supports people affected by meningitis in the UK and Ireland, and drives global awareness and understanding. Learn more, get support or donate today.

10/04/2026

⚠️ Meningitis can kill within hours.

Would you be able to spot the signs?

Symptoms may appear in any order, or some not at all.

Always trust your instincts and get medical help fast.

Learn more on our website: https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/symptoms/

Meningitis Research Foundation funds pioneering research, supports people affected by meningitis in the UK and Ireland, and drives global awareness and understanding. Learn more, get support or donate today.

09/04/2026

Endurance, willpower and resilience—our London Marathon runners have it all. 🎽🔥

With race day just weeks away, we’re sending a huge shoutout to everyone pushing through their final training runs. You’ve got this 💪🏅

Every step you take helps us in the fight to defeat meningitis.

Know someone running for Meningitis Research Foundation? Drop their name in the comments and wish them luck 🍀👇

08/04/2026

Hannah Ewing went from thinking she had food poisoning to being seriously ill with meningitis in less than 24 hours.

Just three months after her first experience of the disease, she contracted meningitis again. The disease has left her with a number of after-effects, including hearing loss.

Thanks to support from journalist Rachael Davis, her story has been shared across national outlets, including The Independent, highlighting how quickly meningitis can escalate, the importance of acting fast and the support she received from our Support Services team.

Her fiancé, Ryan, acted quickly when her condition worsened and is now running the London Marathon in support of our work. 💜

📰 Read the full story in The Independent: https://ow.ly/BjTx50YzOcU

Meningitis Research Foundation funds pioneering research, supports people affected by meningitis in the UK and Ireland, and drives global awareness and understanding. Learn more, get support or donate today.

02/04/2026

You don’t need to face meningitis alone. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

If you have been affected by meningitis or are going through the loss of a loved one, we're here to listen.

Call our helpline on 080 8800 3344, email [email protected], or use the live chat function on our website.

If you think that you, or someone you know, currently has meningitis, please call NHS 111 or seek medical help as soon as possible.

01/04/2026

Two lives lost. Many others changed forever. 💔

The recent meningitis outbreak in Kent highlights that more must be done to protect young people.

We’ve joined forces with Meningitis Now to call on the UK Government to:

📢 Improve routine access to the MenB vaccine for teenagers and young adults.
📢 Conduct a timely and transparent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) review that reflects the full impact of MenB.
📢 Fund sustained public awareness activity to strengthen protection.

No family should have to face the devastating impact of meningitis when prevention is possible.

👉 Read the full letter and learn more: meningitis.org/news-and-blogs/uk-meningitis-charities-urge-government-action-on-menb

Meningitis Research Foundation funds pioneering research, supports people affected by meningitis in the UK and Ireland, and drives global awareness and understanding. Learn more, get support or donate today.

31/03/2026

With the recent outbreak of MenB cases, many families are asking how they can stay protected.

To help, we’ve created a clear, easy‑to‑read information page that answers the most important questions about MenB and the MenB vaccine.

You’ll find:

❓What MenB is and how it spreads.
❓Who is most at risk.
❓When the MenB vaccine is given and how long protection lasts.

Staying informed can make a real difference.

👉 Visit our website to learn more and help protect your loved ones: https://www.meningitis.org/about-meningitis/vaccines/meningococcal-vaccines/menb-vaccines/

Meningitis Research Foundation funds pioneering research, supports people affected by meningitis in the UK and Ireland, and drives global awareness and understanding. Learn more, get support or donate today.

30/03/2026

“Nobody seems to be aware of the impact the disease can have.”

The experience of our supporter Olivia Griffiths was featured in a powerful written piece by James Tapper from The Observer UK.

Olivia’s experience shows how fast bacterial meningitis can strike. After surviving it once, her symptoms were initially dismissed as flu - before a second diagnosis left her with life-changing after-effects.

We’re so grateful to Olivia for sharing her story so openly. She’s now taking on the London Marathon this April for Meningitis Research Foundation 🏃‍♀️💜

📰 Read the full article: https://ow.ly/9LHQ50YzNob

Meningitis Research Foundation funds pioneering research, supports people affected by meningitis in the UK and Ireland, and drives global awareness and understanding. Learn more, get support or donate today.

28/03/2026

Are you looking for meningitis information you can trust?

📩 Sign up to our monthly newsletter and get the latest updates straight to your inbox.

Our newsletter this month is focused on the recent outbreak of MenB cases, you can find:

✔️ Where to get support if you or a loved one has been affected.
✔️ How we’re responding and advocating for change.
✔️ Key facts about the MenB vaccine.
✔️ What advocates around the world are doing.
✔️ Ways you can support our work.

Stay informed. Stay supported. Stay connected.

👉https://www.meningitis.org/newsletter

Meningitis Research Foundation funds pioneering research, supports people affected by meningitis in the UK and Ireland, and drives global awareness and understanding. Learn more, get support or donate today.

26/03/2026

The Kent meningitis outbreak has shone a much-needed light on the importance of protecting teenagers and young adults from MenB.

Hear from Kieran, in our Health Insights and Policy team, about our work in Westminster this week.

With support from Canterbury's MP, Rosie Duffield MP, we took the need to close the protection gap to the UK's Parliament.

More 👉https://www.meningitis.org/news-and-blogs/closing-the-menb-protection-gap/

25/03/2026

💜 There is strength in connection.

Thank you to everyone who shared and commented on our recent posts with their own experiences following the meningitis outbreak in Kent.

We know these stories are deeply personal and not always easy to share. By speaking out, you help others feel less alone, offer comfort and raise awareness that can help save lives.

If you feel comfortable sharing your experience, we would love for you to contribute to our digital collection of meningitis experiences from around the world - Meningitis in your words.

📝Share your story today and help save lives: www.meningitis.org/meningitis-in-your-words

Together, we can support one another and continue working towards a future free from meningitis.

Meningitis Research Foundation funds pioneering research, supports people affected by meningitis in the UK and Ireland, and drives global awareness and understanding. Learn more, get support or donate today.