UK school leavers and new students are to be offered the meningitis B vaccine following recent outbreaks that killed three young people, the government has announced.
Vaccination Programme Details
The one-off programme, beginning in late July, will offer two doses of the Bexsero vaccine at least 28 days apart. It targets teenagers born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 (year 13 in England and Wales, equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland) and those under 25 starting university or residential further education for the first time this autumn, including international students.
Reason for the Programme
The move follows an unprecedented MenB outbreak in Kent earlier this year, plus clusters in Dorset and Berkshire. While different strains were involved, all are covered by Bexsero, which protects against most MenB strains for at least six years.
Official Statements
Health Secretary James Murray said: "The Kent outbreak and recent clusters indicate a possible change to the way MenB affects people. While we assess the latest evidence, we are acting now to help protect young people at highest immediate risk as they enter university and residential colleges this autumn."
Caroline Temmink, director of vaccination at NHS England, said eligible individuals will be contacted via the NHS app, text, and email, and those starting university can book appointments at pharmacies.
About MenB
MenB bacteria can cause meningitis and blood poisoning. Up to one in 10 cases of bacterial meningitis are fatal, and survivors may suffer permanent health issues like hearing loss or epilepsy. Teenagers and young adults are at higher risk, especially at university due to shared living and social networks.
Context
The MenB vaccine has been part of the routine infant immunization since 2015, but young people are not routinely offered it on the NHS. Some parents have paid for private vaccination, costing over £200 per child. Campaigners have called for expansion, which the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is considering.
Dr Shamez Ladhani of the UK Health Security Agency said the programme is an emergency outbreak response, covering about one million teenagers and young people. Professor Adam Finn of the Bristol Children's Vaccine Centre welcomed the announcement, noting it reflects ongoing cost-benefit uncertainty but is clearly a disease everyone wants prevented.
Alex Stanley of the National Union of Students encouraged eligible young people to get vaccinated, stating there should never be a cost barrier to lifesaving vaccines.
