Students beginning nursing and midwifery courses in the autumn will be offered a two-dose meningococcal B disease (MenB) vaccine, as part of a one-off immunisation programme.
The MenB vaccine will be targeted at young people in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland ahead of the start of the 2026 academic year, health officials have announced today.
“This is a major step forward in the UK’s efforts to prevent meningitis and save lives”
Tom Nutt
The move is designed to protect all Year 13 pupils, and those under 25 starting university or residential further education for the first time.
Eligible students will need two doses for protection, with the first being offered from July with second dose given in August, said the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
The department highlighted that international students under 25 entering their first year of university, should receive their first dose in their home country where possible.
The meningitis outbreak in Kent earlier this year was the fastest growing and largest ever seen in the UK, and there have also been more clusters than normal this year, some bigger than expected.
UK Health Security Agency data shows there were 313 confirmed cases of MenB in England during 2024-25, which accounts for approximately 83% of all invasive meningococcal disease cases.
These invasive cases disproportionately affect young adults and teenagers, as well as infants who are already offered the vaccine through the NHS schedule.
The department stated that the one-off jab programme – based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation – would help to protect those at “highest immediate risk”.
Meanwhile, it will monitor and assess new evidence to determine whether there has been a change in the way MenB affects people and whether any further vaccine rollout response is required.
The DHSC said the programme would make vaccination available to people who complete year 13 of education in the summer of 2026 born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008.
In addition, it will be available to people aged under 25-years old starting university or moving into some residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.
It noted that the UKSHA estimated that the relative risk of invasive MenB disease in first year university students was “substantially” greater than in their peers.
The DHSC stated: “We know that cases of invasive meningococcal disease tend to peak in October to November each year.
“The vaccine programme will help protect those at highest immediate risk of serious illness as they move into shared accommodation,” it said.
All people within the Year 13 date of birth range will receive the offer irrespective of their education plans, it said, but postgraduates or those starting a second or third year will not be included.
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, according to the DHSC.
Alongside the vaccination rollout, DHSC, NHS England and UKHSA are to deliver a public information campaign to drive uptake among eligible groups.
England’s deputy chief medical officer, Dr Thomas Waite, said: “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 four weeks apart are needed for maximum protection, and I encourage everyone who is attending university and further education for the first time this autumn to come forward for their first dose as soon as possible.”
Caroline Temmink, director of vaccination at NHS England, said: “The NHS is ready to deliver this vital vaccination programme with appointments available at a number of community pharmacies from the end of July ahead of students starting university.
“Those eligible will be contacted directly through the NHS App, by text and email and for those under 25 starting university for the first time they will be able to book their appointment directly with available pharmacies.”
The Scottish Government said it had been working with Public Health Scotland, NHS Immunisation Services, universities, colleges and student representatives to support delivery of the programme.
Scotland’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Gregor Smith said: “MenB can spread rapidly in shared living environments and can lead to serious disease.
“This targeted programme offers strong protection to those most at risk, and I would encourage everyone who is eligible to take up the offer, especially if you are heading to university or college for the first time.”
Dr Joanne McClean, public health director at Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency, said: “We welcome this announcement and are working with health service colleagues on the delivery of the programme during the summer.
“I encourage everyone who is eligible to take this opportunity to help protect themselves against this disease,” she said.
Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of the charity Meningitis Now, said: “This is a major step forward in the UK’s efforts to prevent meningitis and save lives.”
