Around a million Year 13 pupils and those under 25 embarking on university or residential further education this autumn will be offered a meningitis B (MenB) vaccine, the government has announced.
The initiative follows a series of outbreaks, most notably a cluster in Kent earlier this year that tragically claimed the lives of two teenagers.
The one-off programme will provide two doses of the vaccine to eligible individuals. Young people aged 17 to 18 in Year 13, along with those under 25 starting university or other residential further education this autumn, will be targeted.
The first dose will be available from 20 July, with the second administered in August. Full protection requires two doses, given at least 28 days apart.
The Kent outbreak, which saw 18-year-old Juliette Kenny die, was described as the fastest-growing and largest seen in the UK. Subsequent smaller clusters of meningitis among young people have also exceeded expectations.
Health officials highlight that close and prolonged contact in halls of residence, shared homes, and social settings significantly increases the risk of contracting MenB.
Year 13 pupils will be contacted via the NHS app, text, or letter to receive the Bexsero jab, manufactured by GSK. Other eligible individuals under 25 can book their appointments directly with pharmacies.
Those unable to receive their second dose in August due to holidays will still be able to get it in September, with community pharmacists delivering the programme.
Health Secretary James Murray stated: "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."
He added: "The one-off programme will make menB vaccination available to people who complete Year 13 of education in the summer of 2026 born between September 1 2007 and August 31 2008, as well as people under 25 starting university or moving into some residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.
“By offering two 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 two doses in July and August, to give them peace of mind as they head off to continue their studies."
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), first-year university students face a substantially greater risk of MenB compared to their non-university peers, with cases typically peaking in October and November.
Eligibility extends to anyone finishing Year 13 this summer born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, regardless of whether they are attending university. Additionally, anyone under 25 beginning their first year of university this autumn is eligible. However, students in their second, third, or later years, as well as postgraduate students, are not included.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is currently preparing advice for ministers on whether a broader and more permanent programme for young people is necessary.
Dr Shamez Ladhani, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, addressed questions regarding eligibility boundaries, explaining that the programme prioritises those at the highest immediate risk.
He suggested that the recent increase in meningitis clusters might be due to low population immunity against MenB, noting that meningococcal disease cycles typically span 20 to 30 years. While acknowledging that Covid lockdowns could have played a role, he stated it was difficult to definitively prove.
England’s deputy chief medical officer, Dr Thomas Waite, highlighted that MenB is fatal in up to 10 per cent of cases. He urged all eligible students to come forward for their two doses for maximum protection. International students under 25 entering their first year of university are advised to receive their first MenB dose in their home country where possible.
Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of the charity Meningitis Now, welcomed the announcement, telling the Press Association: "I think this is a great step forward in the fight against meningitis in the UK. We would love to see it rolled out further, and we’d love to see this made permanent, but I think at the moment this is a good practical and pragmatic response."
Vinny Smith, chief executive of the Meningitis Research Foundation, described the programme as a "step towards closing the UK’s menB protection gap". However, he cautioned: "a one-off programme will not fully close that gap – teens and young adults who fall outside the current eligibility criteria remain at risk of menB.
“That is why we will continue to make the evidence-led case for routine NHS access for them, including seeking clarity from Government and the JCVI on what happens next."
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