UK offers one-off MenB vaccine to a million young people

The UK government has announced a one-off vaccination programme to protect up to one million young people against meningococcal B (MenB) disease ahead of the 2026 academic year. The initiative, which will begin in late July, will offer two doses of the Bexsero vaccine to all Year 13 pupils in England and Wales, or their equivalents in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as to individuals under 25 who are starting university or residential further education for the first time this autumn.

Health Secretary James Murray said the decision follows a series of concerning outbreaks, including an unprecedented cluster in Kent earlier this year that resulted in two deaths, and other clusters in Weymouth and Reading. "The Kent outbreak and recent clusters indicate a possible change to the way MenB affects people," Murray stated. "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."

Eligible individuals will be offered their first dose from July 20, with a second dose administered in August. Two doses, at least 28 days apart, are required for full protection. Year 13...