Image source, Supplied

As we've been reporting, we have had a statement this morning from Michael Kenny, the father of sixth form student Juliette who died following the meningitis outbreak in Kent.

Here is his statement in full:

“We are incredibly proud parents to two wonderful daughters. Juliette is a force in this world. With her beautifully positive energy she spread fun, love and happiness to those around her and she continues to do so now. The devastation of her loss to us, her family and friends is immeasurable.

"Sharing stories of the empathy, warmth and fun that she created is helping her family and friends through at this time. Her energy continues to make the people who love her find a way.

"The illness took her from us so quickly. On Thursday 12th March, she successfully completed a practical element of her P.E. A-level. She was fit, healthy and strong. In the early hours of Friday 13th Juliette vomited. There were no other symptoms at this time. In the morning on Friday, she was taken, by us, to our local emergency drop-in as a discolouration appeared on her cheeks.

"She was given antibiotics and sent by ambulance to A&E. Juliette fought bravely for hours, but despite the fantastic NHS hospital staff fighting alongside her, meningitis took her from us less than 12 hours later. We were with her at the end, and the last sounds that she heard were the voices of those who loved her telling her how very much loved and cherished she is.

"No family should experience this pain and tragedy. This can be avoided. There are young people currently battling this and young people still at risk.

"As parents, we knew our children would change the world and be a force for good. The work to protect young people has started. It needs to be more. Juliette’s impact on this world must be lasting change. Now is the time to ensure families are safe from the impact of meningitis B.”

As of 17:30 GMT on Thursday the NHS said that 2,360 vaccines had been given and 9,840 antibiotics had been given in response to this meningitis outbreak.

Yesterday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there were 27 confirmed or suspected cases linked to the outbreak, up from 20 on Wednesday.

We should get some new figures on cases later this morning.

Image source, PA Media

Demand for vaccines in the wake of the Kent outbreak has been high with some people being turned away yesterday.

As we've been reporting, three new clinics will open today. But who is newly eligible for the MenB vaccine after this outbreak?

Here's the latest guidance from the UK Health Security Agency:

• Anyone who attended Club Chemistry from 5-15 March
• Year 12 and 13 pupils at schools with cases
• All students and staff at the University of Kent
• Close contacts of confirmed or suspected cases
• Students at Canterbury Christ Church university who are a close contact of a case or went to Club Chemistry from 5-15 March

If you are eligible but have recently left Kent, you can now request a vaccination and antibiotics from your local GP. This covers students who have travelled home.

Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly suggested all students at Canterbury Christ Church university were eligible for the Meningitis B vaccine under the targeted programme.

Simon Jones
Reporter, BBC South East

People have already started queuing for vaccinations outside the sports centre at the University of Kent which has become a temporary clinic.

One woman waiting told me she had tried to get a jab yesterday but was turned away and told to come back today as demand was so high.

Three new clinics for vaccinations will open today - a second one in Canterbury, as well as one in Faversham and another in Ashford.

Thousands more people are eligible for vaccinations in the Canterbury area after the government expanded the list of those who qualify.

Juliette’s father, Michael Kenny, has spoken of the speed at which his daughter became seriously ill.

She completed a practical element of her PE A-level on Thursday 12 March. "She was fit, healthy and strong," he says in a statement. Juliette died two days later, on Saturday 14 March.

After vomiting in the early hours and showing discolouration in her cheeks on the morning of Friday 13, she went to an emergency drop-in. She was given antibiotics and sent by ambulance to A&E.

"Juliette fought bravely for hours, but despite the fantastic NHS hospital staff fighting alongside her, meningitis took her from us less than 12 hours later," her father says.

A little earlier, BBC Breakfast heard from the chief executive of the Meningitis Research Foundation, Vinny Smith.

He says the Kenny family asked him to express "just how clearly" they feel about the importance of making sure protection is there for everyone.

"There is confusion out there, and very understandably so," he says.

He says that people at the age where they are most at risk from MenB aren't protected.

"We should take risk out of that as much as we can," he says. The charity and the Kenny family are calling for routine access to the vaccine on the NHS for young people.

Currently, it isn't offered because of cost-effectiveness reasons, but Smith says this doesn't account for the "severity of the disease", or the "trauma and bereavement" it can cause.

Image source, Meningitis Research Foundation/PA Wire

The family of an 18-year-old girl who died following a meningitis outbreak in Kent are calling for better access to vaccines for teenagers and young adults.

The Meningitis Research Foundation says the best way to achieve protection against MenB is to extend routine NHS access to MenB vaccination, so that it includes teenagers and young adults.

Juliette Kenny died last week one day after showing symptoms of the disease which included vomiting and discolouration in her cheeks, her father said.

She is one of two confirmed deaths from the infection, the other being a 21-year-old University of Kent student.

Michael Kenny, Juliette's father, remembered his daughter was "fit, healthy and strong" before her death and "a force in this world".

He said future deaths from the illness "can be avoided" and urged the government to improve access to the MenB vaccine for young people still at risk.

"No family should experience this pain and tragedy," he said. "The work to protect young people has started. It needs to be more."