Pharmacies to deliver one-off MenB jab programme for thousands of young people
A one-off meningitis vaccination programme will be offered to thousands of young people in England ahead of the next academic year through community pharmacies, it has been announced.
The government has confirmed that all Year 13 pupils and those under 25 starting university or residential further education will be offered a two-dose vaccination against the meningococcal B disease (MenB).
Appointments for those eligible will be available in participating community pharmacies from the end of July.
The move comes after an outbreak of MenB in Kent earlier this year which saw the death of two students and 21 confirmed cases of the disease.
Around 11,000 vaccinations were given in the first week with around 13,000 antibiotics dispensed as well.
Three young people were also confirmed to have contracted the disease in Dorset in April, followed by the death of a college pupil who contracted the disease along with three others in Reading in May.
Why is the one-off programme being introduced?
Following the outbreaks, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised the government provide a one-off targeted programme to protect those at highest immediate risk ahead of the usual autumn peak in meningitis in this age group.
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The JCVI is updating its assessment of the appropriate eligibility for routine MenB vaccinations which will be provided to the government as soon as possible.
Vaccines are routinely available to prevent some types of meningitis, including against MenB for babies, and the MenACWY vaccine for protection against MenA, MenC, MenW, and MenY offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10.
However, the vaccine for MenB was only introduced for babies at two months, three months and 12 months in 2015, meaning current students have not been offered the jab, unless they had it privately.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows there were 313 confirmed cases of MenB in England during 2024/25, which accounts for approximately 83% of all invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases, disproportionately affecting young adults and teenagers, as well as infants who are already offered the vaccine through the NHS schedule.
Who is eligible?
Eligible students can have their first vaccination from July with a second dose given in August.
International students under 25 entering their first year of university should receive their first dose in their home country where possible.
People who complete year 13 of education in the summer of 2026 and are born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 are eligible, as well as people under 25 years of age starting university or moving into some residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.
All people within the Year 13 date of birth range will receive the offer irrespective of their education plans.
However, post-graduate students or those starting a second or later year of university will not be covered by this offer.
Those eligible in Year 13 will be contacted directly through the NHS app, text, email, or letter depending on records held by the health service.
This one-off vaccination programme will help to protect those at ‘highest immediate risk’, the government has said, while it ‘monitors and assesses new evidence to determine whether there has been a change in the way MenB affects people’.
The government will assess whether any further vaccine rollout response is required.
‘Appointments available in pharmacies in July’
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Caroline Temmink, director of vaccination at NHS England, said appointments would be available ‘at a number of community pharmacies from the end of July ahead of students starting university’ and that those eligible would be able to book directly with available pharmacies.
‘Meningitis can be life-threatening and we urge everyone eligible to book appointments for their MenB vaccines soon as bookings open in mid-July and to get both doses to ensure maximum protection,’ she said.
The UKHSA estimates that the relative risk of invasive MenB disease in first year university students is ‘substantially greater’ than in their peers in other education or work settings.
It adds that cases ‘tend to peak’ in October to November each year.
The NHS has begun operational rollout planning with vaccinations expected to be available in England from the end of July 2026 ahead of the new academic year.
Alongside the rollout, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), NHS England (NHSE) and UKHSA will deliver a public information campaign to drive uptake among eligible groups.
Consult epidemiologist at UKHSA Dr Shamez Ladhani, said: ‘While MenB outbreaks are uncommon, when they occur, they can be devastating as recent outbreaks have sadly shown.
‘The risk is higher among young people starting university where close and prolonged contact with lots of new people increases the chances of being exposed to the meningococcal bacteria.
‘Two doses of the MenB vaccine is essential and will give good protection against most strains and help to give young people and their families some reassurance.’
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Minister for skills Baroness Jacqui Smith added: ‘Starting university or college is an exciting milestone.
‘This vaccination programme means students can focus on their studies and new experiences, knowing they have taken an important step to protect their health.
‘I encourage every eligible student to come forward for both doses as soon as possible.’
The most recent Nursing in Practice Podcast goes into depth about the meningitis B outbreak in Kent and speaks with the nurses who played a ‘phenomenal role’ behind the scenes. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Music.
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