UK rolls out free meningitis B vaccine for university entrants

The UK health authorities are offering a free two‑dose meningitis B (MenB) vaccination to students under 25 who are beginning university or other residential further education. In England the NHS programme, delivered through 435 Well Pharmacy branches, targets school leavers and first‑time university students living in halls of residence, and is also open to international students. In Wales Public Health Wales is administering the same offer to the cohort born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, as well as any under‑25 student attending residential education for the first time.

The rollout follows a meningitis outbreak in Kent that killed two students earlier this year, highlighting the heightened risk for young people in shared accommodation. The vaccine must be given as two separate doses at least four weeks apart, and officials urge eligible students to begin the course as early as possible this summer to ensure full protection before the start of term.