The government has announced a one-off vaccination programme offering two doses of the meningitis B vaccine to teenagers in their final school year and young people starting university this autumn. The rollout, beginning in late July, follows an unprecedented outbreak of meningitis B in Kent earlier this year, along with clusters in Dorset and Berkshire that led to three deaths.
Eligible individuals include those born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 – year-13 age in England and Wales, or equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland – and anyone under 25 starting university or moving into residential further education settings for the first time this autumn, including international students. The vaccine, Bexsero, is given as two doses at least 28 days apart and protects against most strains of MenB bacteria, with protection thought to last at least six years.
Health Secretary James Murray said the decision to offer the vaccine before the academic year begins aims to reduce the risk of serious illness and larger outbreaks. He urged eligible students to come forward in July and August for peace of mind. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) noted that cases of invasive meningococcal disease tend to peak in October and November each year.
Caroline Temmink, director of vaccination at NHS England, confirmed that those eligible will be contacted directly through the NHS app, by text, or email, and can book appointments with available pharmacies. The MenB vaccine has been part of the routine immunisation programme for babies since 2015, but young people are not routinely offered it on the NHS, leading some parents to seek private vaccination at a cost of £200 or more for two doses.
Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, described the programme as an emergency outbreak response rather than a routine immunisation, covering about a million teenagers and young people. Professor Adam Finn of the Bristol Children’s Vaccine Centre welcomed the announcement but noted the one-off nature reflects ongoing uncertainty about cost-benefit, adding that the disease is one everyone wants to see prevented.
