Children at risk of strep A in England could be given preventive antibiotics

Rare' blanket measure may be used at primary schools after at least nine UK deaths from bacterial infection

Primary schoolchildren at risk from a severe form of strep A could be given preventive antibiotics as a blanket measure, in a move described as rare" by health officials.

At least nine children have died due to complications from strep A bacterial infections since September, with one senior health official suggesting the early start to the strep A season in the UK could be a knock-on effect to immunity levels caused by Covid measures, although others have downplayed the impact lockdowns may have had.