Juliette Kenny

Juliette Kenny was an 18-year-old student who tragically died from meningitis B in Kent, England, in March 2026. Her death occurred amidst an outbreak of the disease in the region. Juliette's case is newsworthy because it has prompted renewed calls for expanded meningitis B vaccination eligibility. Her father, Michael Kenny, has spoken publicly about the family's profound grief and advocated for improved protection for young people against the disease. Following the outbreak and Juliette's death, the UK's Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, requested the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to review and potentially broaden the eligibility criteria for meningitis vaccines. This review is underway, considering whether to routinely vaccinate a larger segment of the population against meningitis B. Juliette's death underscores the severity of meningitis B and the importance of preventative measures like vaccination.