Free Meningitis B Jab Available to Students in England

High street pharmacies across England are now offering a free meningitis B vaccine to students and young people following an outbreak in Kent earlier this year. The vaccine protects against a dangerous strain of meningitis B, and is available to 17 and 18-year-olds and those under 25 starting university or residential college this autumn. The program aims to protect approximately one million young people, with appointments available from July 20.

The vaccine is given in two doses, at least 28 days apart, and is safe, though mild side effects like fever or muscle aches are possible. Health officials note that students entering university face a risk of meningitis seven times higher than their peers.

While a MenB vaccine is already part of the UK’s childhood immunization program, it hasn’t been offered to older teens and young adults due to cost and limitations in long-term protection and transmission prevention. The current campaign focuses on those at highest risk through increased social mixing.