MenB vaccine for young people

The MenB vaccination will be offered to all those aged 17 and 18 who were born between 01/09/2007 and 31/08/2008. 

The vaccine is also available to those born on or after 21/07/2001 (turning 25 on or after 21/07//2026) and attending higher education or residential further education for the first time from Autumn 2026, including international students and those from the UK Devolved Administrations and Crown Dependencies. 

The vaccine will not be offered to: 

• Those born before 21/07/2001  
• those aged less than 25 years continuing their studies (not first-time entrants) 
• those in school-level residential settings, for example sixth form boarding schools, unless they are eligible due to their age 
• those who completed a 2 dose course of Bexsero® within the last 5 years 
• those who completed a 2 or 3 dose course of Trumenba® within the last 5 years 

The risk is greatest for those attending university or residential further education for the first time. This is usually for those who are 17/18 years old. The vaccine is therefore being offered to all young people of this age, whatever your career plans. 

In Wales there is a routine schedule for vaccination which offers MenB vaccination to babies under 2. This vaccination programme started in 2015. MenB vaccination is not routinely offered to people over the age of 2. Some people who are identified as being at increased risk may also be offered MenB vaccination through the NHS.  
 
For those who are not eligible to receive as part of the NHS programmes, the vaccine may be available privately through some pharmacies and GP surgeries. 

Students in later years of university aren’t included because they are not entering higher education for the first time, which is when the risk is highest. Evidence shows that first-year students have a much higher risk – around seven times greater than young people of the same age who are not at university. The risk is particularly high when new people come together to mix and live closely, such as in halls of residence. The risk is not considered to be as high for those in their second or subsequent years, so they are not considered to be part of the highest-risk group for this targeted programme.

If you live in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland and are due to attend a university in Wales, you may still be eligible for the MenB vaccine. You will be eligible for the vaccination if you fall into either of the following groups: 

• Individuals born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 
• Individuals born on or after 21/07/2001 (turning 25 on or after 21/07//2026) and attending higher education or residential further education for the first time from Autumn 2026 

For the best protection, two doses of the MenB vaccine are required. The second dose should be given at least 28 days after the first, ideally at least two weeks before starting university. 

You will be given a vaccination record card at your first appointment. It will show the date you had your first dose and when your next dose is due.  

If you receive your first dose in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland you can still have your second vaccination in Wales. You will need to take your vaccination record card with you to show that you are due your second dose.  

In Wales, the MenB vaccine for students is delivered through community clinics. See here for the list of Health Boards and contact details:  Vaccine contacts – Public Health Wales. You can also speak to your local GP practice or university health centre, which will be able to advise where to get the vaccine. First doses will be offered in Wales from 20 July until 31 December 2026. Second doses will be offered in Wales until 31 March 2027. 

It is important that you have two doses of the vaccine at least 28 days apart for the best protection. Ideally the full two dose course should be given at least two weeks before starting university or residential further education. 

If you received your first dose of the MenB vaccine in Wales, you will be given a vaccination record card. Please keep this safe and bring it with you when you attend your second dose appointment. 

If you are studying in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland and wish to receive your second dose there, please visit the relevant website for more details: 

• England (external site)  
• Scotland (external site) 
• Northern Ireland (external site)  

The MenB vaccine offers protection against meningococcal disease caused by some MenB types. It is given as an injection in the upper arm. 

You will need to have two doses of the vaccine, at least 28 days apart for the best protection.

After receiving both doses of the vaccine, it may take two weeks for your body to build up protection against MenB infection.  

Ideally the full two dose course should be given at least two weeks before starting university or residential further education. This allows your body time to build protection. 

You should have the vaccine as soon as you are offered it, don’t delay.   

The risk of infection is greater in young people, particularly those who are starting university for the first time. Most young people at this age will not have been offered the MenB vaccine before. This means that you may have little or no protection against infection caused by MenB bacteria. 

Seventeen and 18 year olds who were born between 01/09/2007 and 31/08/2008 will receive an invitation letter from their health board. Letters will be sent after 6 July. Those born on or after 21/07/2001 (turning 25 on or after 21/07/2026) and starting higher education or residential further education for the first time from Autumn 2026, will not receive a letter but should contact their health board after 20 July to find out where to get their vaccination in their local area. 

A list of health boards and their contact details are available. 

Please do not contact your health board before 20 July 2026 as further information will not yet be ready.

If you are under 25 and attending Higher or Residential Further Education for the first time this Autumn you will be expected to provide evidence of your offer letter from university or college when you arrive for your appointment. 

First doses will be offered in Wales from 20 July until 31 December 2026. Second doses will be offered in Wales until 31 March 2027.

If you are born between 01/09/2007 and 31/08/2008, you will receive an invite to have the vaccine. This will be at a location near you, such as a clinic in your local health board.  

If you were born on or after 21/7/2001 and are due to attend university or residential further education for the first time this autumn, you will not get a letter. You will need to book an appointment and verify your eligibility for vaccination. Evidence of this could be an official email, letter, or screenshot. It should confirm your offer to attend university or a residential further education setting for the first time. 

The contact details for your local health board vaccination team can be found on the Vaccine contacts page.

You will be given information on where and when to attend.  

This MenB vaccination programme is time limited. Young people are required to have had the first vaccine by 31st December 2026, and the second vaccine has to be completed by 31st March 2027. 

A cold or other minor illness is not a reason to delay your vaccine.

If you are unwell with a high temperature (fever) above 38.5C, it is better to wait until you have recovered to have the vaccine. However, you should try to have it as soon as possible. If you cannot attend your vaccination appointment, please cancel and rearrange the appointment.  

If in doubt, discuss this with the person giving you your vaccination. 

If you miss the appointment, you should rearrange it for as soon as possible. 

If you have had a full course (two or more doses) of MenB vaccines within the last 5 years, then further doses are not needed. 

It takes at least 2 weeks from your second dose of vaccine for your body to produce antibodies to give you a good level of protection.

The second dose of the MenB vaccine is recommended at least 4 weeks (28 days) after the first dose to give you the best protection against MenB infection. It takes at least 2 weeks from the second dose of the vaccine for your body to achieve a good level of protection, so delaying the second dose delays protection.  Those eligible should aim to get both doses before starting at college or university this Autumn.

Yes. You will need to have both doses of the vaccine, 4 weeks apart and then wait 2 weeks for the best protection. The MenB vaccine has been thoroughly tested and meets strict safety criteria. It has been routinely used in the infant vaccination programme in the UK since 2015 and has led to 75% reduction in MenB disease in vaccinated groups. 

You will be given a record card to record when you have the first dose and when you need to have the second dose. 

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent meningococcal disease from meningococcal bacteria. No vaccine is 100% effective, and the MenB vaccine does not protect you against all meningococcal groups.  It is still important to know the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease, even if you are vaccinated. For more information about meningococcal disease, visit: 

• Meningitis Now (external site)
• Meningitis Research Foundation (external site)

Some people have worries about needles which can make having an injection feel overwhelming. Many young people say they don’t feel the needle at all, and it’s over very quickly. If you are worried, there are several things you can do to feel less anxious. 

1. Talk about your fears
   Tell the person giving you the vaccine that you are nervous. They will support you and help you feel more comfortable. 
2. Relax
   Take some deep breaths to help you feel calm and relax your body. Injections only take a few seconds and it will be over before you know it.  
3. Distract yourself
   Don’t look at or focus on what’s happening. Listen to music, watch a video, or chat to someone nearby to take your attention away.  

Give yourself credit for being brave and overcoming your worries! While you may find it difficult in the moment, vaccines are one of the best ways you can protect yourself from meningococcal disease. 

Consent means that you give permission for something to happen. You will be asked to give consent before you have your vaccine. You may need to fill in a paper or digital consent form. The person giving you the vaccine will always check you have given the necessary consent first. 

You’ll have time to consider information sent to you about the vaccine.  

The person giving you the vaccination will be able to answer any questions you may have. 

Yes, the MenB vaccine is safe. It meets all safety standards. Once a vaccine is in use, its safety is closely monitored.

The MenB vaccine cannot cause or spread meningococcal disease.

Most people with allergies can have the vaccine with no problems. 

The vaccine should not be given to anyone who has had a serious (life-threatening) reaction to: 

• a previous dose of the vaccine or 
• any ingredient in the vaccine. 

Tell the person giving you the vaccine if you have had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine or its ingredients in the past. 

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them. Most side effects are mild and may last a day or two. It is still important to have both doses. The most common side effects include:  

• Some swelling, redness or tenderness where you have had the injection 
• mild fever 
• nausea 
• headache 
• muscle and joint aches 

If you have a fever and feel unwell after the vaccination, you can take over the counter medicines such as paracetamol. Read the instructions on the bottle or packet carefully and take the correct dose for your age.  

It is not recommended that you take these medicines before or after the vaccination just because you think you might get a fever.  

If you have any questions about side effects, you can ask the person giving you the vaccine.  

Please read the product information leaflet for more details on your vaccine, including possible side effects.  

If you experience any suspected side effects to the vaccine, you can report these on the Yellow Card website (external site), by calling 0800 731 6789 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or by downloading the Yellow Card app (external site). 

If you are unwell and are worried after the vaccination, you should speak to the person who gave you the vaccine or your GP surgery. 

Rarely, people can have a severe reaction soon after the vaccination. This can cause breathing difficulties and they may collapse. This is called an anaphylactic reaction, and it can also happen with other medicines and food. These reactions are extremely rare, affecting less than one in a million people. Staff who give vaccinations are trained to manage these reactions.  

People who have an anaphylactic reaction can be successfully treated. They usually recover within a few hours. 

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent meningococcal disease from meningococcal bacteria. No vaccine is 100% effective, and the MenB vaccine does not protect you against all meningococcal groups. 

This may be an opportunity to check that you have received the MenACWY vaccine (usually at age 13-14) which offers some protection against other types of meningococcal disease. 

While the MenB vaccination is highly effective and has led to a 75% reduction in MenB disease in vaccinated groups, it does not offer complete protection. Teenagers and young adults are considered to be at higher risk, so it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Men B disease. Signs to look out for include, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, stomach cramps and fever with cold hands and feet. Read more information on meningitis and meningococcal disease.

You should already have received the MenACWY vaccine (usually at age 13-14) which offers some protection against other types of meningococcal disease.  Being up to date with all vaccinations is important for all of us, especially for students starting university and college who will be meeting, mixing and living with lots of new people.   

Universities and colleges can be the perfect opportunity for infections such as measles, mumps, meningitis, as well as respiratory illnesses such as flu to spread.  

At your MenB vaccine appointment, you may be offered vaccines that you have previously missed. The MenB vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, like MenACWY, HPV and MMR.  

If you aren’t sure if you have missed any vaccines, you can contact your GP surgery to check your vaccination status and catch up on any other missed vaccines. Alternatively, you can contact your local immunisation team to find out how to catch up on any missed vaccines.  

The contact details can be found on the vaccine contacts page.