MenB vaccination to be offered to young people in Wales ahead of new academic year
Published on: 12 Jun 2026
Welsh Government has announced that young people in Wales will be offered a free vaccination against meningococcal B disease (MenB) ahead of the new academic year, in response to a series of outbreaks across the UK.
The programme covers young people born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, along with anyone turning 25 after 31 December 2026 who will be starting higher education or residential further education for the first time this autumn. It follows a significant outbreak of MenB among students at the University of Kent in March 2026, along with further clusters elsewhere in the UK.
MenB can cause meningitis and sepsis, both of which can very rapidly cause life-threatening disease. While the disease is rare, young people going to universities or equivalent settings are at greater risk.
Dr Christopher Johnson, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at Public Health Wales, said: “Young people heading to university for the first time are at an elevated risk of Meningitis B, as they mix with new groups of people while enjoying their new environment. Having two doses of this vaccination, ideally before they depart for university, will give them the best protection against this infection, which can cause such serious illness.”
Who is eligible and how to access the vaccine
The vaccine will be offered in a two-dose programme. Those aged between 17 and 18 (born between 1 September 2007 to 31 August 2008) will receive an invitation letter from their health board from 6 July providing details on how to get their vaccine. Those under 25 who will be entering higher education or residential further education for the first time this autumn, including international students, will need to contact their health board after 20 July to find out more information.
Teenagers in Wales have been offered a vaccine against meningococcal A, C, W & Y disease (MenACWY) in year 9 (13-14 yrs old) since 2015. This vaccine has been very effective at reducing the number of cases of Meningitis or Sepsis. However, the MenACWY vaccine does not protect against MenB, so for the best protection all eligible young people are encouraged to make sure they have had the MenACWY vaccine and both doses of the MenB vaccine.
The programme runs until December 2026. Public Health Wales strongly encourages all eligible young people to make sure they are up to date with all vaccines including both doses of MenB, ideally before they leave for university.