A huge one-off vaccine programme will be rolled out to nearly a million young people to help protect them against meningitis B – this comes after an outbreak in Kent, in March, led to the deaths of two teenagers
The Government will launch a massive meningitis B (menB) vaccine programme which will be offered to around one million young people.
The one-off jab programme will be offered to Year 13 pupils, aged 17 and 18, and those under 25 starting university or other residential further education this autumn. Eligible people will be offered the first dose from July 20 and a second in August. Two doses, at least 28 days apart, are needed for full protection.
This new push comes months after a series of meningitis outbreaks, with the most serious being in Kent, in March, which tragically left two teenagers dead.
Juliette Kenny, 18, died in that outbreak and her family have been campaigning for teenagers and young people to be routinely given access to the menB vaccine. While the response to that outbreak ended, there were several other smaller clusters of meningitis in young people, which have been bigger than expected.
Pupils in Year 13 will be contacted via the NHS app, text or letter to come forward for the jab (Bexsero) manufactured by GSK, while others under 25 will book their appointment directly with pharmacies.
The Government said anyone finishing Year 13 this summer and born between September 1 2007 and August 31 2008 is eligible for the jab whether or not they are going to university.
Anyone who misses out on the second August jab because of holidays will still be able to get it in September. The programme is being delivered by community pharmacists.
According to the UKHSA, the risk of menB in first year university students is substantially greater than for those not at university. Close and prolonged contact in halls of residence, shared homes and at social events can increase the risk of contracting menB.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, 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.
“The one-off programme will make MenB vaccination available to people who complete year 13 of education in the summer of 2026 born between 1st September 2007 and 31st August 2008 as well as people under 25-years old starting university or moving into some residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.
“By offering a two-doses of the jabs ahead of the academic year, we will help reduce the risk of serious illness and larger outbreaks of this horrendous disease. I urge all those students who are eligible to come forward for their two doses in July and August, to give them peace of mind as they head off to continue their studies.”
The menB vaccine has been offered to infants on the NHS since 2015, meaning most young people in university at the moment will not be covered against the potentially deadly bacteria.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Thomas Waite said: “Meningococcal B disease is a rare but very serious infection which is fatal in up to 10% of cases and can cause life long injury. There has been an increase in clusters of disease this year and so this one-off programme is designed to provide direct protection to those at highest immediate risk which is typically when students travel from across the country to attend University and Further Education for the first time.
“Two doses of the MenB vaccine, at least four weeks apart are needed for maximum protection, and I encourage everyone who is attending University and Further Education for the first time this Autumn to come forward for their first dose as soon as possible.”
