The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced a targeted, one-off vaccination programme against Meningitis B (MenB) for young people across the UK. The initiative aims to protect Year 13 pupils and individuals under the age of 25 who are commencing university or residential further education courses.
This move comes amidst increasing concern following recent high-profile outbreaks of meningitis, some of which have tragically affected young people. Experts have largely welcomed the programme, noting that the current MenB vaccine, Bexsero, was introduced in 2015 for infants, meaning a significant cohort of teenagers and young adults would not have received it previously. While the vaccine provides good protection against most Group B strains of meningococcal disease, it does not prevent the transmission of the bacteria between individuals, underscoring the importance of personal vaccination.
Professor Hannah Christensen, Professor in Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the University of Bristol, highlighted that while meningococcal disease remains rare, teenagers and those living in student accommodation face an increased risk. She stated that this programme presents a crucial opportunity to protect these higher-risk groups as they enter environments such as residential halls, which can facilitate the spread of infections.
Dr Michael Head, Senior Research Fellow in Global Health at the University of Southampton, explained that immunity from the infant MenB vaccine wanes within a few years, leaving a gap in protection for adolescents. He referenced evidence from New Zealand demonstrating strong immune responses in adolescents seven days after their first dose, with a high proportion responding to a second dose if needed. Dr Head emphasised the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, calling the catch-up campaign a positive development given the severity of recent outbreaks.
However, Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush, Assistant Professor in Global Health & Development at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), stressed the importance of high and equitable uptake. He suggested that while delivery via community pharmacies over the summer is practical, outreach efforts may be necessary to ensure all eligible young adults are reached, especially in regions with historically lower uptake of routine school-age vaccinations. Dr Kasstan-Dabush also advocated for this programme to coincide with a broader push for educational institutions to ensure all adolescents receive other recommended vaccines, such as Meningitis ACWY and HPV, citing varying uptake rates across the country; for example, only 66.5% of Year 9 adolescents in the North West of England received the Men ACWY vaccine in 2024/25.
This targeted programme is seen as a vital step in bolstering public health defences for a vulnerable demographic. Young people and their parents are encouraged to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of meningitis, as the vaccine does not offer complete protection against all strains and does not prevent transmission.
Source: Science Media Centre