BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, podcasts.

Order. Order.

Hello there, I'm Alicia McCarthy, and this is today in Parliament from BBC Radio 4 for Tuesday the 17th of March,

where the Health Secretary announces a limited vaccination programme following a meningitis outbreak.

The general risk is low and transmission takes place through close, direct and prolonged personal contact

with things like kissing, sharing vapes and drinks.

Also on this programme, the Conservatives tell the Foreign Secretary that while Iran attacks

UK military bases...

And indiscriminately fires missiles and drones on their neighbours. We cannot stay silent or inactive.

And MPs challenge a top civil servant to tell them when they'll finally see the defence investment plan.

We're working flat out. We've heard that so many times.

To... to deliver it. But first, the health service... working flat out. We've heard that so many times. Flat out. If you can tell us a time.

But first, the Health Secretary has announced that some students at the University of Kent

are to be offered the meningitis B vaccine following the deaths of a student and an 18-year-old school pupil.

Where Streeting described the outbreak as unprecedented and said it was a rapidly developing

situation.

Of the 15 cases, four have been confirmed as meningitis B, a bacterial form of the illness.

The Health Secretary said the strain was uncommon and potentially lethal.

The onset of illness is often sudden, and early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics

are vital.

It doesn't spread very easily.

The bacteria is passed to others after a long period of close contact.

...