MenB vaccine

A new, time-limited MenB vaccine offer is available this summer for all current Year 13 students (born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008), and under 25s (born on or after 21 July 2001) who will be starting university as undergraduates or moving into residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026. 

The programme has been introduced in response to recent meningitis outbreaks to provide young adults with added protection before the start university. MenB can spread easily in confined spaces such as university halls and social settings so it’s important to get vaccinated with both doses ahead of the autumn term.

In England, the following groups are eligible:

• young people currently in school Year 13 (born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008)
• all undergraduate freshers born on or after 21 July 2001 who will be attending university for the first time in autumn 2026
• those born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting further education for the first time in autumn 2026 and who will be living in further education accommodation or halls of residence.

This includes international students who may not arrive in the UK until September, and those from the devolved nations attending these settings in England.

Eligible students will need 2 doses of the MenB vaccine to receive the best possible protection, with the first being offered from late July 2026 and the second dose from August 2026. There must be at least 4 weeks in between both doses.

Appointments can be booked to get vaccinated at a community pharmacy near you from Monday 13 July 2026, to find your local pharmacy that is providing the MenB vaccine visit: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-a-menb-vaccination-appointment/