The government is set to roll out a large-scale meningitis B (menB) vaccination initiative targeting approximately one million young individuals. This initiative involves a one-time vaccination program for Year 13 students aged 17 and 18, as well as those under 25 commencing university or residential further education in the upcoming fall. The first dose will be available starting July 20, with the second dose scheduled for August, ensuring full protection with a minimum 28-day interval between doses.
This proactive move follows a series of meningitis outbreaks, notably in Kent, where two teenagers tragically lost their lives earlier this year. Juliette Kenny, 18, was a victim of the Kent outbreak, prompting her family to advocate for widespread access to the menB vaccine for teenagers and young adults. Although the immediate response to the Kent outbreak concluded, subsequent smaller clusters of meningitis cases among young people have emerged, surpassing anticipated levels.
Year 13 students will receive notifications through the NHS app, text, or mail to avail themselves of the Bexsero jab from GSK. On the other hand, individuals under 25 can directly schedule their vaccination appointments at pharmacies. Those completing Year 13 this summer between September 1, 2007, and August 31, 2008, are eligible for the vaccine, irrespective of their university plans.
Even if individuals miss the August vaccination due to summer vacations, they can still receive it in September, administered by community pharmacists. According to the UKHSA, the risk of menB is notably higher for first-year university students due to close and prolonged contacts in shared living spaces and social gatherings.
Health and Social Care Secretary, James Murray, emphasized the need for immediate action to safeguard young people at heightened risk entering university and residential colleges this fall. He underscored the significance of the two-dose vaccination program to mitigate the threat of severe illness and potential outbreaks, encouraging all eligible students to receive their jabs in July and August for added protection as they embark on their academic pursuits.
Since 2015, the menB vaccine has been available for infants through the NHS, leaving many current university students unprotected against this deadly bacterium. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Thomas Waite highlighted the seriousness of meningococcal B disease, stressing the importance of the two-dose vaccination regimen for maximal protection, especially for those starting university or further education for the first time in the upcoming academic year.
