A time-limited MenB vaccine offer is available now for eligible young people, including those who will be starting university as undergraduates or moving into residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.
The MenB vaccine programme is available across all four nations of the UK. If you are in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, please check the official guidance from Public Health Scotland, Public Health Wales or the Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland) for advice on how to access the vaccine in your area.
The programme has been introduced in response to recent meningitis outbreaks while a full review of the evidence by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is underway.
Eligible students will need 2 doses of the MenB vaccine for protection, given at least 4 weeks apart, with the first being offered from 20 July and the second dose from August.
How to get the vaccine
The information below applies to England. If you are in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, please refer to guidance from your local public health authority.
How you’ll get your MenB vaccine depends on which eligible group you are in.
- If you are 17 or 18 years old and were born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, you can book online now. First dose appointments begin from 20 July 2026. You must be registered with a GP surgery in England.
- If you are under 25, born on or after 21 July 2001 and for the first time this autumn you are starting university or starting at some further education colleges as a residential student, you can get a MenB vaccine at a participating pharmacy from 20 July. This includes international students, students from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and those travelling abroad to study. You do not need to be registered with a GP surgery to use this service.
When can people get vaccinated?
The programme is running throughout summer 2026, giving eligible people time to complete both doses before cases typically rise in the autumn.
Anyone who is eligible is encouraged to get both doses of the vaccine as soon as they can. First doses will be available until 31 December 2026 and second doses up to 31 March 2027. You should also make sure you are up to date with your other vaccines.
What is MenB and why should those eligible 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 for this vaccine?
The programme is available in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as in Crown Dependencies.
In England, the following groups are eligible:
- young people aged 17 or 18 who were born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 and are registered with a GP surgery in England
- 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
This includes international students who may not arrive in the UK until September, and those from the devolved nations and Crown Dependencies attending these settings in England.
I deferred my university place and took a gap year. Can I still get the MenB vaccine?
Yes. If you are under 25 and entering higher education or moving into residential further education for the first time in autumn 2026, you can still get the vaccine even if you deferred your place or took a gap year.
Students who have already begun higher or further education and are changing course or university are not eligible under the first-time entrant criteria.
Why is the programme not being rolled out to all young people?
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 or attend a participating pharmacy as soon as you can.
How many doses are needed?
Two doses are essential for protection. The second dose should be given at least 28 days after the first, and it then takes a further 2 weeks for the body to build a good level of immunity. That means the whole process takes around 6 weeks from start to finish, which is why it's important for those who are eligible to get a first dose as early as possible - ideally well before the autumn term begins.
What are the side effects of the vaccine?
Common side effects of the MenB vaccine are usually mild and do not last long and may include a fever, some swelling, redness or tenderness at the injection site, nausea, headache or muscle aches. These usually pass within a day or two. Over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol will help manage these symptoms. More serious side effects are rare.
How well does the MenB vaccine work?
The MenB vaccine covers most, but not all, strains of MenB that commonly cause disease in the UK. It has been routinely used in the UK infant vaccination programme since 2015 and in a study of babies showed a 75% reduction in MenB disease in vaccinated groups. It has been thoroughly tested and meets strict safety standards.
The MenB vaccine does not protect against all causes of meningitis and septicaemia nor against all strains of meningococcal bacteria. So, it remains important to be aware of signs and symptoms, the need to keep checking on those who are unwell and to seek early medical help if concerned about someone’s health.
How long does the protection offered by the MenB vaccine last?
Protection lasts for at least 5 years.
Is the MenB vaccine available privately?
For those who are not eligible under the current NHS offer, the MenB vaccine can be obtained privately. It is available from many travel clinics, pharmacies and some private GP practices.
If you are in an eligible group but have completed a course of MenB vaccination in the past 5 years you will not need further vaccinations now.