Over 580,000 eligible 18 and 19-year-olds in England have not yet received their first dose of the free MenB vaccine, with the deadline for this one-off offer set for 31 December 2026.
Figures up to 31 October 2026 show that 28.2% of 18 and 19-year-olds, totalling 228,297 out of 809,957, have had their first dose. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has expressed concern over the low uptake, following several Meningitis B outbreaks and three related deaths in England this year.
The programme is available to 18 and 19-year-olds born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008. It also includes first-year university or residential further education students under 25 who started this autumn. Dr Shamez Ladhani, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, highlighted that only just over a quarter of 18 and 19-year-olds have received their first dose, urging young people to book appointments.
Two doses of the vaccine are necessary for protection, requiring at least 28 days between them. While the offer for the first dose concludes at the end of this year, a second dose will be available until 31 March 2027 for those who receive their first dose on time.
Students starting university face an increased risk of meningococcal disease, with the risk for first-year students approximately seven times higher than for non-university attendees of a similar age. Recent studies also indicate the unpredictable nature of the bacteria, suggesting similar outbreaks could reoccur.