UK Launches One-Off Meningitis B Vaccination Programme
Teenagers in their final year of school and young people beginning university will be offered two doses of a vaccine to protect against meningitis B, the government has announced.
This one-off vaccination programme is set to start in late July following recent outbreaks of MenB in Kent, Dorset, and Berkshire that resulted in three fatalities among young people.
Details of the Vaccination Programme
Although each cluster involved different strains of MenB, all would have been covered by the vaccine Bexsero. This vaccine is administered in two doses at least 28 days apart and protects against most strains of MenB bacteria. Experts believe the protection lasts at least six years.
The vaccine will be offered to all young people in the UK born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 — corresponding to year-13 students in England and Wales or equivalent years in Scotland and Northern Ireland — as well as individuals under 25 starting university or moving into certain residential further education settings for the first time this autumn, including international students.
Government Response and Expert Statements
The 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.”
Murray emphasized that offering two doses before the academic year begins would reduce the risk of serious illness and larger outbreaks. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has noted that invasive meningococcal disease cases typically peak between October and November annually.
“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.”
Caroline Temmink, director of vaccination at NHS England, added:
“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.”
About Meningitis B and Its Risks
MenB bacteria often reside harmlessly in the back of the nose and throat but can cause serious infections in some individuals, including meningitis — an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord — blood poisoning, or both.
The NHS reports that up to one in ten bacterial meningitis cases are fatal. Survivors may suffer permanent health issues such as hearing loss or epilepsy.
The groups most at risk include babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults. The risk is higher among university students due to factors like shared accommodation, social gatherings, and large social networks that facilitate bacterial spread.
Vaccination Background and Current Coverage
The MenB vaccine has been part of the routine NHS immunisation programme for babies in the UK since 2015. However, while young people are routinely offered the MenACWY vaccine covering four other meningococcal groups, they are not routinely offered MenB vaccination on the NHS.
Consequently, some families have had to pay for the MenB vaccine privately, which can cost £200 or more for two doses.
Campaigners have called for an expansion of the MenB vaccination programme, a move supported by various health experts.
Expert Opinions on the Vaccination Initiative
Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, explained that the new offering is an emergency outbreak response rather than a routine immunisation programme, targeting approximately one million teenagers and young people.
“The group that is being vaccinated is broadly the group at the highest risk,”
he said.
Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at the Bristol Children’s Vaccine Centre, welcomed the announcement but noted:
“As regards the ‘one-off’ nature of the announcement, I’d agree that this is a bit unusual and perhaps reflects ongoing uncertainty around the cost-benefit of immunising so many young people to prevent rather small numbers of cases.
But this is clearly a disease which everyone wants to see prevented.”
Support from Student Organizations
Alex Stanley, vice president of the National Union of Students, commented:
“The announcement showed governments across the UK had listened to people’s concerns.
We encourage all eligible young people to get the vaccines. They have the potential to prevent another devastating outbreak, and we hope that every young person will play their part in that.”
There should never be a cost barrier to lifesaving vaccines, and we hope this becomes a regular vaccination programme.”
