Nearly 90,000 receive first dose in NHS MenB campaign

Nearly 90,000 young people have received the first dose of a two-dose meningitis B vaccination campaign launched ahead of the new university year.

NHS figures show that 89,261 first doses were given in England between the programme’s launch on Monday 20 July and Friday 31 July 2026. The NHS National Booking Service has also received more than 135,000 bookings for appointments in the weeks ahead.

The one-off programme is available through participating community pharmacies, including for eligible young people in Southport and across the Liverpool City Region. The NHS says hundreds of thousands of appointments remain available and that there is enough vaccine stock for everyone who qualifies.

Eligible groups include people born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, as well as people born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting university for the first time this autumn. The offer also covers students beginning at some residential further education colleges for the first time.

Two doses are needed at least 28 days apart. Seventeen- and 18-year-olds can book through the NHS National Booking Service, while other eligible students should contact a participating pharmacy directly.

Meningococcal B infection can cause meningitis and sepsis. It can result in serious complications, including hearing loss, brain damage and loss of limbs, and can be fatal. The bacteria can spread through close contact, including kissing, sharing drinks or vapes, or living in shared accommodation.

First-year university students have a risk of MenB disease around seven times higher than people of a similar age who do not attend university.

“This vaccine needs 2 doses to be most effective, so if you’re eligible, please come forward and book as soon as possible to give yourself the best protection before the start of the new university year in September.”

Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, also urged eligible students to complete the course, saying strong protection comes after the second dose.