The new, time-limited MenB vaccine for young people at highest risk of catching meningococcal B disease is now being rolled out across the UK.
Students will need two doses of the vaccine at least four weeks apart for maximum protection. Those eligible include:
- 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 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009); and in Year 14 in Northern Ireland (born between 2 July 2007 and 1 July 2008)
- All undergraduate freshers who turn 25 after 31 December 2026 attending university for the first time in autumn 2026
- Anyone who turns 25 after 31 December 2026 and 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.
Data on invasive meningococcal disease 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 about seven times higher than young people of a similar age who do not go to university. A full JCVI review is also under way.
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 the disease this year, so this one-off programme is designed to provide direct protection to those at highest immediate risk.’
Image | ISTOCK
