The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that teenagers be offered the meningitis B (menB) vaccine on the NHS, with a booster around age 15 and catch-up programmes for those who missed out as babies.
Details of the Recommendation
The JCVI advises a booster jab around age 15 for those who received the menB jab as a baby (born on or after May 1, 2015). The first cohort affected will turn 15 in 2030. Children who missed the infant jab will be offered two doses. Additionally, the JCVI strongly supports two doses for children born on or before April 30, 2015, who were not offered the vaccine as babies, to be given around age 15.
The recommendation also includes a catch-up programme to ensure no one misses out. This move is separate from a previously announced summer programme offering the menB vaccine to around one million Year 13 pupils and under-25s starting university this autumn, with first doses from July 20 and second doses in August.
Background and Impact
The recommendation follows a series of meningitis outbreaks, most seriously in Kent earlier this year, which left two teenagers dead. The Kent outbreak was the fastest-growing and largest seen in the UK, with other clusters also larger than expected. Close contact in halls of residence and social events increases risk of menB, which peaks in October to November.
Data shows the menB vaccine is highly effective, providing strong protection for at least five years. Professor Wei Shen Lim, JCVI chairman, said: “Following the meningitis outbreaks in early 2026, a one-off programme for two-doses of menB vaccine is being offered to eligible young people this summer. We encourage everyone who is eligible to book an appointment online.” He added that the JCVI has provided a recommendation for a future routine adolescent programme, with a decision from the Department of Health due in due course.
Personal Stories and Campaigns
Juliette Kenny, 18, died in the Kent outbreak; her family campaigns for routine menB access. Dr Tom Nutt, CEO of Meningitis Now, called the recommendation a “significant moment in the fight against meningitis” and urged implementation as soon as possible. Marrissa Mullans, whose son Alfie Jake Mullans died of menB in 2023, said: “It’s bittersweet for me because I’ve lost Alfie. Had Alfie been offered this life-saving vaccine at 15, I wouldn’t be sitting here as a grieving mum.” Mark Cheesman, whose 15-year-old daughter Zara died of menB in 2024, noted she had the MenACWY vaccine but was not covered for menB. He said: “It really wasn’t made clear it (menB) was not covered and, more importantly, that people were dying from it.”
Dr Nutt added: “Behind today’s recommendation are countless families whose lives have been forever changed by meningitis. 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.”
