Starting uni? What to know about having the free NHS meningitis B jab

ByMichelle Roberts

Digital health editor

High street pharmacies across England are now offering a free meningitis B vaccine for many young people.

It comes after concerns over the UK's largest and fastest growing outbreak that happened in Kent earlier this year.

So who needs the vaccine and what's in it?

The vaccine offers protection against a dangerous strain of meningitits called meningitis B (MenB) that caused the outbreak in Kent.

The vaccine does not contain any live bacteria and cannot cause meningitis.

It is common to get some swelling, redness or tenderness where you have the injection. You may also get a mild fever, nausea, headache or muscle aches but these symptoms should disappear after one or two days.

More serious side effects are rare.

Bookings can be made at high street pharmacies across England from Monday 13 July, with the first appointments available from Monday 20 July.

Seventeen and 18-year-olds can book via the NHS National Booking Service, external if they are already registered with a GP, external.

Other students under the age of 25 who are heading to a residential college or university this autumn for the first time can also contact a participating pharmacy.

You can get a walk-in MenB vaccine at a pharmacy if you were born on or after 21 July 2001, and for the first time this autumn you are:

International students and students from elsewhere in the UK (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man) who will be studying in England are also eligible, as well as those who are travelling abroad to study.

You do not need to be registered with a GP surgery to use the walk-in service.

Find a participating pharmacy here, external.

The vaccine, given as two doses and at least 28 days apart, is being offered to 17 and 18-year-olds in sixth form and students under the age of 25 who are heading to a residential college or university this autumn for the first time.

Both doses are needed for the fullest protection.

A million young people are expected to be eligible for the vaccine in England, including:

The meningitis outbreak that happened in Kent in March has been described as unprecedented and explosive.

Within weeks, in Kent, there were 29 confirmed or suspected cases and two deaths.

That's why the new, one-off campaign is being launched - to help protect those at greatest risk and hopefully prevent something like this from happening again.

Students in their first year of university have a risk that is about seven times higher than that of young people of a similar age who do not go to university, says NHS England.

Meningitis infections can be spread through close contact - for example though kissing, sharing vapes and drinks or living in close quarters with a person with the bug.

UK health officials say the risk to 18-year-olds or those entering university or a residential college for the first time is higher because of increased mixing of social groups and shared accommodation.

MenB infection can cause serious, life-threatening problems including inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis) and blood poisoning (sepsis).

It can lead to life-changing disabilities such as amputations, hearing loss and brain damage, and in some cases can be fatal.

Vaccination can save lives.

The MenB vaccine was added to the UK NHS childhood immunisation programme for babies born on or after 1 July 2015. All babies are now offered it.

But it means teenagers and young adults over the age of 11 have not received this jab.

Young babies are vaccinated because they are more likely to get invasive infections more often than other age groups, and their bodies are less likely to be able to fight them off.

However, research suggests the MenB vaccine doesn't necessarily prevent transmission of the infection from person to person, doesn't target all the different B bacteria strains and doesn't provide long-term protection.

UK vaccine experts have therefore concluded that it isn't cost effective to offer the MenB vaccine to all adolescents.

But they do want everyone who is eligible to come forward and get the vaccine because it can prevent serious illness.

Around 10,000 people in the Kent region will have already received jabs, as part of the response to the March outbreak.

Each nation has its own plans, external, but all are offering the vaccine to most pupils completing Year 13 or S6 in the summer of 2026 - irrespective of their education plans and including people from this age group who are not currently in school.

Young people aged 18-25 starting university or moving into residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026 are also eligible.

In Wales, those aged 17-18 will receive a letter from health boards from early July, while those aged 18-25 who are entering higher education will need to contact their health board later in July.

Meningitis can be caused by many different types of viruses or bacteria, which are spread through close contact with a person who has them.

Viral meningitis tends to get better on its own within seven to 10 days. It can often be treated at home with plenty of rest, painkillers and anti-sickness medicine.

Bacterial meningitis needs to be treated in hospital.

Outbreaks are thankfully rare.

Currently, a separate vaccine covering different strains, the MenACWY vaccine, is offered routinely to 14-year-olds.