So far there have been 34 confirmed cases of the strain of meningitis compared to 18 in January last year.
Prof Andrew Pollard, chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said: “We have seen an increase in MenW cases this winter caused by a highly aggressive strain of the bug."
"We reviewed the outbreak in detail at JCVI and concluded that this increase was likely to continue in future years unless action is taken. We have therefore advised the Department of Health to implement a vaccination programme for teenagers as soon as possible which we believe will have a substantial impact on the disease and protect the public’s health,” he said.
Dr Shamez Ladhani, paediatric infectious diseases consultant at Public Health England, said: “It’s crucial that we all remain alert to the signs and symptoms of the disease and seek urgent medical attention if there is any concern.”
Parents are being advised to be on the lookout for early symptoms which include a headache, vomiting, muscle pain, a fever with cold hands and feet and a rash.
