Meningitis B vaccine to be offered to students

Those under 25 starting university this autumn, and year 13 pupils will be offered the meningitis B (menB) vaccine this year, the government has said.

The one-off jab programme will offer two doses to students aged 17 to 18 in Year 13, plus people aged under 25 starting university or other residential further education this autumn.

Young people will be offered their first dose from July with a second dose given in August. Two doses, at least four weeks apart, are needed for full protection.

It comes after a series of outbreaks of meningitis, including cases in Reading, Dorset and most recently Surrey, the most serious being in Kent earlier this year, which left two teenagers dead.

The family of one victim who died in the Kent outbreak Juliette Kenny, 18, have been campaigning for teenagers and young people to be routinely given access to the menB vaccine since.

While the Kent outbreak was the fastest growing and largest ever seen in the UK, other smaller clusters of meningitis in young people since then have been bigger than expected.

Close and prolonged contact in halls of residence, shared homes and at social events can increase the risk of contracting menB.

Who is eligible?

Pupils in Year 13 will be contacted using the NHS app, texts or letters to come forward for the jab, while others under 25 will be able to book their appointment directly with pharmacies.

The programme is being delivered by community pharmacists, and anyone who misses out on the second August jab because of holidays will still be able to get a jab in September.

The Government has said that anyone finishing Year 13 this summer, born between September 1, 2007 and August 31, 2008, is eligible for the jab whether or not they are going to university.

It is also available for students under 25 who are starting their first year of university, though international students who fit the criteria should receive their first menB dose in their home country where possible, the Department of Health has said.

Students going into their second, third or later year of university are not eligible, neither are postgraduate students starting a masters or PhD.

According to the UKHSA, the risk of menB in first year university students is substantially greater than for those not at university.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is currently preparing advice to ministers on whether a bigger and longer programme is needed for young people.

Government statement

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.

“The one-off programme will make menB vaccination available to people who complete Year 13 of education in the summer of 2026 born between September 1 2007 and August 31 2008, as well as people under 25 starting university or moving into some residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.

“By offering 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.”

Cases of invasive disease tend to peak in October to November each year.

Expert opinions

Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, 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.”

Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of the charity Meningitis Now, told Greatest Hits Radio:

"At Meningitis Now, we think this is a great step forward.

"We know that young lives are precious. And as we've seen over the past several months with the outbreaks in Kent and Dorset and in Berkshire, meningitis will take young lives away.

"Vaccines are the best, the most safe and the most effective way of preventing meningitis. So we think it's great news that there is this new programme."

He added that the organisation hoped the scheme would be extended:

"We're talking protecting youngsters who may be going off to universities and colleges, in residential settings in September.

"It's really important that they get those life-saving vaccinations in the next few months so that that protection can take effect.

"But yes, we would love to see this campaign rolled out to a broader group of people, and also make sure that it goes beyond just the coming year."

Before reinforcing the importance of rollout:

"Meningitis is a relatively uncommon disease, but its impact is really quite striking.

"You know, this is a disease that can kill one in 10 people affected by it, and people will die within 24 hours or less. So there's always more that can be done.

"In terms of raising awareness. Vaccines are the best and really the only way of preventing meningitis.

"But actually, even with vaccines in the NHS vaccine schedule, you know, people still need to be aware that that meningitis can affect anyone at any age.

"So therefore, the message is twofold.

"One is if eligible to vaccines to make sure you take them up, because it could save your life or indeed the life of someone else.

"But also just be mindful, especially in this year, that meningitis can affect anyone.

"So awareness of the signs and symptoms and knowing what to do when should it strike is really, really important too."