Meningitis B vaccine to be offered to a million young people
Around 1 million young people will get two doses as officials respond to recent outbreaks and a 75% drop in eligible vaccinated groups.
- On yesterday, the UK government announced a one-off MenB vaccination campaign for Year 13 pupils and under-25s entering university or residential education this autumn, aiming to protect those at highest immediate risk.
- This campaign follows an unprecedented MenB outbreak centred on Canterbury earlier this year, which caused 21 confirmed cases and two deaths, including 18-year-old Juliette Kenny from Faversham.
- UK Health Security Agency figures show MenB accounted for around 83% of invasive meningococcal disease cases in England during 2024/25, with Britain deploying the GSK Plc vaccine Bexsero to around 1 million eligible young people.
- Bookings open mid-July with first appointments from end of July, though Medway GP Dr Julian Spinks questioned how clinicians will deliver second doses during summer holidays.
- While this autumn's rollout is a one-off measure, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is currently updating its assessment on whether a routine, permanent MenB vaccination programme for this age group is necessary.
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UK to offer free Meningitis B vaccine to 1 million young people after deadly outbreaks
UK News: The UK government has announced a one-off free MenB vaccine for 1 million young people ahead of university, in response to concerning outbreaks and to protect those at risk. Health officials highlight increased vulnerability among teens and young adults in close living quarters.
The UK will launch this summer an exceptional vaccination program against meningococcal B (MenB) aimed at thousands of young people who will start college or residential education centers next fall. The measure, announced by the UK Health Department and Health Safety Agency (Ukhsa), responds to the increase in outbreaks and clusters detected in recent months, including the largest recorded to date in the country, which occurred in Kent at the be…
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