Key facts
- The UK is launching a one-off meningitis B vaccination program for approximately one million young people.
- The vaccine will be offered to school leavers and young adults aged 18-25 starting university or residential further education.
- The program follows concerns over recent meningitis B outbreaks, including one in Kent with two deaths.
- Two doses of the Bexsero vaccine are required, with the program starting in July.
- The initiative aims to protect individuals at the highest immediate risk of contracting the disease.
The UK government is initiating a one-off meningitis B vaccination program, offering the Bexsero vaccine to approximately one million young people across England, Wales, and Scotland. This measure is a response to concerns over recent outbreaks of the disease, including a significant one in Kent and clusters in Weymouth and Reading.
The program targets pupils completing Year 13 or S6, and individuals aged 18 to 25 who are starting university or residential further education in autumn 2026. Health officials state this initiative will protect those deemed at the highest immediate risk due to increased social mixing and shared accommodation.
The vaccine requires two doses, administered at least 28 days apart, with the program commencing in July. In England, vaccinations will be available through community pharmacies, and Year 13 students will be contacted directly. First-year international students under 25 are advised to receive their initial dose before arriving in the UK.
Concerns about potential increases in meningococcal disease activity have been raised, with Prof Shamez Ladhani of the UKHSA noting that while current case numbers are similar to previous years, the concentration of cases in young adults warrants action. The Bexsero vaccine, routinely given to infants, has shown evidence of protection lasting at least six years and has contributed to a substantial reduction in MenB disease.
The decision follows a period of low meningitis B activity, which may have left younger populations more susceptible. The program aims to mitigate the risk of serious illness and larger outbreaks as students begin the academic year. Dr Tom Nutt of Meningitis Now welcomed the announcement, emphasizing its potential to prevent cases while advocating for continued protection for all at-risk individuals and the inclusion of MenB vaccination in the routine immunization schedule.