Overview
- Public health teams ran a summer catch‑up campaign that delivered roughly 246,000 MenB doses to eligible young people, and authorities say thousands more remain able to book the free vaccine.
- UKHSA data shows meningococcal group B caused 97% of invasive meningococcal disease in 15–24‑year‑olds in 2025–2026, with 348 confirmed cases and 26 deaths recorded during the year.
- Clusters linked to students were reported earlier this year in Kent and later in Dorset and Berkshire, and first‑year undergraduates are estimated to face about seven times the infection risk of non‑students.
- The MenB course requires two doses with the second given at least four weeks after the first, first doses are available until 31 December 2026 and second doses until 31 March 2027 through NHS booking and participating pharmacies.
- Health officials warn that early symptoms can mimic hangovers or viral illness so students should watch for severe headache, fever, stiff neck, confusion or non‑blanching rash and seek urgent care if symptoms worsen.