A national booking service for the MenB vaccine opened today, giving families a straightforward way to secure appointments at community pharmacies across England.
The programme targets around one million young people at heightened risk from meningococcal group B disease. Eligible groups include those born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, now in Year 13, and individuals born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting university or certain further education colleges for the first time this autumn and are under 25.
Appointments can be booked online for the first group. The pharmacy service itself begins on 20 July and runs until 31 March 2027. Two doses are required, at least 28 days apart, with the first needed before 31 December 2026. Other eligible individuals can access walk-in vaccinations from 20 July.
Targeted protection ahead of university term
Officials designed the one-off programme to shield students before the autumn term, when new environments and close contact raise exposure risks. Meningococcal B disease remains rare. Yet it carries a fatality rate of up to 10 percent and the potential for lifelong injury.
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 4 weeks apart, are needed for maximum protection, and I encourage everyone who is attending university and further education for the first time to come forward for their first dose as soon as possible.
Thomas Waite, deputy chief medical officer, delivered that assessment in the official announcement. James Murray, secretary of state for health, stressed the need to act on recent clusters, including an outbreak in Kent.
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. By offering 2 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 2 doses in July and August, to give them peace of mind as they head off to continue their studies.
Dr Shamez Ladhani of UKHSA added that while outbreaks are uncommon, their impact proves devastating when they strike. The vaccine offers reassurance to students and their families by providing good protection against most strains.
