Cyprus is offering free meningitis B vaccinations to students connected to the University of Kent, following a deadly outbreak of meningococcal disease type B (MenB) in Canterbury that killed two people and infected more than 20, the Ministry of Health said.
The outbreak, which the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) first identified on March 13, 2026, is linked to an event at Club Chemistry, a Canterbury nightclub, with known patients having attended the venue on March 5, 6 or 7. It is estimated that around 4,800 people attended the club during that period, most of them students from the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University. As of April 1, 21 cases had been confirmed as caused by the MenB strain, and two people had died.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the outbreak as “unprecedented” and announced a targeted vaccination programme for around 5,000 students living in halls of residence at the university. By March 30, more than 11,400 vaccinations had been administered.
The UKHSA said transmission of MenB requires close and prolonged contact, including living in the same household and intimate contact such as kissing or sharing drinks.
Given the high level of student movement between Cyprus and the UK, the Cyprus Ministry of Health decided to introduce equivalent measures locally. Free MenB vaccination is available to students connected to the University of Kent, whether they are preparing to travel there for studies or have recently returned and are currently in Cyprus. Vaccination requires a valid student ID or enrolment certificate and is available by telephone appointment at Ministry of Health vaccination centres.
Where to get vaccinated:
- Nicosia: Archbishop Makarios III Hospital; Adult and Travel Vaccination Centre, Latsia
- Larnaca: Larnaca General Hospital
- Limassol: Old Limassol Hospital
- Paphos: Paphos General Hospital; Polis Chrysochous Health Centre (Tuesdays only)
- Famagusta district: Famagusta Health Centre