The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that all 15-year-olds be offered the meningitis B (MenB) vaccine on the NHS, following a series of fatal outbreaks. The move aims to protect teenagers at a time when they are at increased risk of the disease, with cases typically peaking between October and November each year.
Vaccination Schedule and Catch-Up Programmes
The JCVI recommends a booster jab around age 15 for those who received the MenB vaccine as babies (born on or after May 1, 2015). The first cohort affected by this recommendation will turn 15 in 2030. Children who missed the infant jab will be offered two doses. Additionally, the JCVI strongly supports giving two doses of the MenB vaccine to children born on or before April 30, 2015, who were not offered the vaccine as babies. They would receive the jabs around age 15, when they are next most at risk. A catch-up programme is also recommended to ensure no one misses out.
Recent Outbreaks and Impact
The recommendation comes after a series of meningitis outbreaks, the most serious being in Kent earlier this year, which left two teenagers dead. Juliette Kenny, 18, died in that outbreak, and her family has campaigned for routine access to the MenB vaccine for teenagers. The Kent outbreak was described as the fastest growing and largest seen in the UK, with other smaller clusters in young people being larger than expected. Close and prolonged contact in halls of residence, shared homes, and social events increases the risk of contracting MenB.
Separate One-Off Programme
This recommendation is separate from a one-off programme announced last month, which will offer the MenB vaccine to about a million teenagers and young people. Year 13 pupils and those under 25 starting university this autumn are eligible for the vaccine this summer, with appointments beginning on July 20 at pharmacies. A second dose must be given at least 28 days later to ensure full protection, ideally before heading off to university.
Expert and Campaigner Reactions
Professor Wei Shen Lim, chairman of the JCVI, said: “We encourage everyone who is eligible to book an appointment online to receive the vaccine at a local pharmacy, in time for the second dose to be received before heading off to university or college. For protection, two doses of the MenB vaccine are necessary, at least 28 days apart. Additionally, JCVI has now also provided Government with a recommendation and additional considerations for a future routine MenB adolescent vaccination programme for those aged around 15 years.” The Department of Health will now consider the recommendation.
Marrissa Mullans, whose son Alfie Jake Mullans died of MenB in 2023 at age 18, described the JCVI recommendation as “amazing” and called on ministers to approve it. “It’s bittersweet for me because I’ve lost Alfie,” she said. “Had Alfie been offered this life-saving vaccine at 15, I wouldn’t be sitting here as a grieving mum. But in honour of my son I’ve fought every minute I’ve not been in work to raise awareness and campaign to ensure no more young people lose their lives when there’s a life-saving vaccination available.” Her petition for a vaccination programme has nearly 81,500 signatures.
Mark Cheesman, whose 15-year-old daughter Zara died of MenB two days before Christmas 2024, told PA: “She was vaccinated for everything else, we would have had her vaccinated for this. But at the same time it’s painful that if that would have been available to her at 15 she would still be alive. Because she was born before 2015 she didn’t have the vaccine when she was a baby.” Zara had received the MenACWY vaccine, which protects against four other strains, but it was not made clear that MenB was not covered.
Effectiveness and Public Health Context
Data suggests the MenB vaccine is highly effective, providing strong protection for at least five years after vaccination. Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has previously said the likely reason for more meningitis clusters this year is low population immunity against MenB. Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of Meningitis Now, described the recommendation as a “significant moment in the fight against meningitis”. He added: “We have consistently called for the vaccination of this age group, who remain at increased risk of MenB disease. Today’s recommendation is an important step towards ensuring that far more young people are protected from this devastating disease.”
Dr Nutt also said: “Behind today’s recommendation are countless families whose lives have been forever changed by meningitis. Many have channelled their grief, loss and lived experience into tirelessly campaigning for change, determined that other families should never have to endure what they have been through. Today we remember all lives lost to meningitis and recognise this landmark step takes us closer to a world where no-one has to experience this devastating disease.”
