As has been widely reported in the media on Friday 12 June 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care has announced an update to the meningitis B vaccination offer.

Meningitis B is one of the bacterial, rather than viral, variants of meningococcal disease. It is fatal in around 10% of cases and can result in life-changing disabilities such as amputations, hearing loss and brain damage.

There were widely reported meningitis B outbreaks in March 2026, clustered in Canterbury/Kent, and in May 2026, clustered in Henley/Oxfordshire.

From 20 July 2026, there will be a one-off MenB vaccination programme available, consisting of two doses, aimed at three groups:

• all those young people in the year 13 age group – with a date of birth between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 – whether in school or not
• those under 25 attending residential higher education
• those under 25 attending further education with a substantial residential component.

The first meningitis B shots will be offered from 20 July, with the offer for that shot open until end December 2026.

The second booster meningitis B shots will be offered from August, with the offer for that shot open until end March 2027.

Both shots are needed and the second one takes around two weeks to become effective.

The timetable is intended to provide immunisation ahead of the main identified risk area of an outbreak in October/November among first year students in residential higher and further education settings.

The shots will be delivered via local community pharmacies. Young people will be contacted direct by text, NHS app, email or letter via their NHS record and invited to book vaccinations at their local community pharmacy.

See the official UK Health Security Agency guidance.

See the government’s announcement on this.