HUNDREDS of children, parents and staff are being vaccinated against meningitis today after the deadly disease struck pupils at three separate schools.

Four youngsters are now being treated for the C strain of the life-threatening meningococcal condition in one of the largest outbreaks in the area.

All 306 pupils at Benfield Junior School, Portslade, were receiving jabs this morning after two of their classmates fell ill earlier.

The children, who were in the same Year Six class, are "doing well" at the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital

One has a confirmed case of the disease while the other is suspected.

Two other youngsters are also in hospital with suspected cases of the disease.

One is a Hove teenager who is in Year 11 at Blatchington Mill School, Hove. He fell ill during the half-term break.

The other is a nine-year-old who attends Whitehawk Junior School, Brighton. In both cases the children's families and close friends have been given antibiotics and parents of other pupils have been told to be vigilant.

John Skelton, whose son Paul, nine, attends Benfield Junior School, said: "The children were sent home with a letter yesterday. Obviously we are concerned but we realise these cases are isolated."

Mr Skelton, 46, of Applesham Way, Portslade, added: "There doesn't seem to have been any delay in the school telling us the news - they've done everything they can but we will be vigilant for the symptoms."

As well as the pupils at Benfield, 70 adults will also receive injections.

The victims are a boy and a girl.

The outbreak means there have now been 22 confirmed or suspected cases of meningococcal meningitis in Brighton, Hove and Lewes this year.

Last month five people were taken ill at the Sunshine Nursery in Eastern Road, Brighton. A two-year-old-girl died during the outbreak which was the largest the health authority had ever dealt with.

In February, St Mark's Primary School in Whitehawk was closed for a day after a five-year-old boy contracted the disease.

On the same day, Sussex University student Ludovic Blot, 20, died two weeks after being taken ill.

Dr Angela Iversen, a consultant in communicable disease control at East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority, said: "We have taken expert advice and followed national guidelines as to who would receive antibiotics and vaccine.

"As with all cases of meningitis, we urge people to be aware of the symptoms and to seek medical advice if they are concerned."

Symptoms of the disease include vomiting, high temperature and a dislike of bright lights, a rash which does not turn white when pressed and joint pains.

General information about the disease can be obtained on the National Meningitis Trust's 24-hour support line on 0845 6000 800.

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