A new, time-limited MenB vaccine offer is available this summer for Year 13 students and under 25s who will be starting university as undergraduates or moving into residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.
You can check eligibility guidelines below.
The programme has been introduced by the NHS in response to recent meningitis outbreaks .
Eligible students will need 2 doses of the MenB vaccine for protection, with the first being offered from late July and the second dose from August.
Why get vaccinated?
Meningococcal group B (MenB) bacteria can cause serious, life-threatening illnesses including meningitis and septicaemia which can both lead to sepsis.
Being around lots of new people in shared living spaces like university halls increases the risk of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease spreading. Getting 2 doses of the MenB vaccine before the autumn term is one of the most important things young people can do to protect themselves.
Young people in the eligible groups will have been offered MenACWY vaccine in year 9 or year 10. This vaccine protects against other kinds of meningococcal bacteria but will not help protect against MenB disease. So, even if someone has already received the MenACWY vaccine, getting the MenB vaccine is important.
Who is eligible?
People who can be vaccinated as part of the NHS programme in the summer of 2026:
– young people currently in school Year 13 in England and Wales (born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008), in year S6 in Scotland (born between 01 March 2008 and 28 February 2009) and in year 14 in Northern Ireland born between 02 July 2007 and 01 July 2008
– all undergraduate freshers born on or after 21 July 2001 who will be attending university for the first time in autumn 2026.
– anyone born on or after 21 July 2001 who will be living in further education accommodation or halls of residence for the first time in autumn 2026.
This includes international students who may not arrive in the UK until September. The programme is available in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as in Crown Dependencies.
If you don’t fall in these categories then the private vaccine is available for £99 – just book a travel clinic appointment.
Why isn’t everyone being vaccinated?
This is a one-off, time-limited programme to offer vaccination to those at highest risk.
Data on invasive meningococcal disease over the last 5 years has shown that after infancy, the highest number of cases are seen in 18- to 19-year-olds. Students in their first year of university have a risk that is about 7 times higher than young people of a similar age who do not go to university.
It is really important that anyone eligible who is going to university or living in halls at a further education college for the first time gets both doses of the MenB vaccine wherever possible before they leave home. If you’re eligible, don’t wait – book as soon as you can.
For further information about the NHS MenB vaccination programme go to the following link: Who is eligible for the new one-off MenB vaccine programme? – UK Health Security Agency /
We will be vaccinating from July 20th on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Click here to book your vaccination: