16/06/2026
Thousands of young people to be offered two-dose MenB vaccine
- One-off MenB vaccination programme to protect all Year 13 pupils, and those under 25 starting university or residential further education for the first time this autumn.
- Eligible students will need two doses for protection, with the first being offered from July with second dose given in August.
- International students under 25 entering their first year of university, should receive their first dose in their home country where possible.
Thousands of young people across England will get protection against meningococcal B disease (MenB) through a one-off vaccination programme launching ahead of the 2026 academic year.
Eligible students will be offered a two-dose vaccination before they start university, where close and prolonged contact in halls and at social events can increase the risk of contracting MenB disease. Two doses of the vaccine are essential for protection.
The one-off programme will make MenB vaccination available to people who complete year 13 of education in the summer of 2026 born between 1st September 2007 and 31st August 2008 as well as people under 25-years old starting university or moving into some residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.
All people within the Year 13 date of birth range will receive the offer irrespective of their education plans. Post-graduates or those starting a second (or later) year will not be covered by this offer.
Those eligible in Year 13 will be contacted directly through the NHS app, text, email, or letter depending on records held by the health service.
Remember Men B is now part of the standard childhood imms programme too, so protect your babies (who one day will be teens!) by bringing them in to be vaccinated.
