Over 212,000 get the first MenB dose but almost 75% missing out
UKHSA is urging young people to get vaccinated with 2 doses for protection.
UKHSA is concerned that many young people, especially freshers, remain unprotected against this devastating disease and is urging all eligible individuals to get vaccinated with 2 doses.
UKHSA has today published its first interim report on MenB vaccine coverage for the 2025/26 school year 13 cohort only (those born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008) in the one-off vaccination offer targeting young adults in England.
Coverage:
- was 26.6% (212,549 vaccinated out of 799,840 eligible individuals) up to 20 September 2026
- is gradually increasing as young adults have more time to be vaccinated (the report figures are for the first 9 weeks of the vaccination offer)
- varies substantially by geography, sex, deprivation and ethnicity
UKHSA is urging all eligible young people, particularly freshers to ensure they are protected with 2 doses as soon as possible. Two doses are essential for protection with the doses needing to be administered at least 28 days apart. Students can get the vaccines from local pharmacies and can book via the NHS website: Book a MenB vaccination appointment - NHS.
Data show that young people starting at university are at increased risk of meningococcal disease due to social mixing patterns and other risk factors – with the risk for students in their first year of university around 7 times higher than young people of a similar age who do not go to university.
In addition, the recent bacterial genome sequencing study, which explained why the MenB outbreak in Kent in March was so severe, also crucially highlights the unpredictability of the bacteria. As highly invasive strains can emerge suddenly and unexpectedly, similar outbreaks could occur again.
The 3 outbreaks this year - in Kent, Dorset and Berkshire - tragically caused 3 deaths and some of those who survived the infection are now facing life-long health consequences.
In July 2026, a national one-off MenB vaccination offer was introduced for young adults and targeted young people who were in school year 13 in the 2025 to 2026 academic year; and those aged under 25 who are starting university, or starting at some further education colleges and living at further education accommodation, for the first time in autumn 2026.
Dr Sharif Ismail, Consultant Epidemiologist at UK Health Security Agency, said:
We know how devastating Meningitis B can be. The outbreaks in England this year tragically caused 3 deaths and left some who survived now facing life-long health consequences. There is a particular risk for students in their first year of university.
Our recent genomics study also highlights how suddenly and unpredictably dangerous new strains of Meningitis B can emerge, such as the one seen in the Kent outbreak. This means that similar outbreaks could occur again.
The MenB vaccine offer for students and young people is underway – it’s vital everyone eligible gets two doses of the vaccine to be protected. Don’t regret not getting vaccinated – book in for yours now.
Today’s report, looking at the year 13 cohort only, found that young women were more likely to have taken up the first dose than men, 31.5% compared with 21.9% respectively.
Coverage by region (NHS commissioning regions) differed significantly - from the lowest in London, 21%, to the highest in the South East, 31.6%.
And when analysing areas by deprivation, there were also wide differences in vaccine coverage ranging from 11.8% in the most deprived to 45% in the least deprived areas.
The report also found considerable differences among ethnic groups, with young people of ‘Chinese’ ethnicity having the highest coverage (42.9%), followed by ‘Asian or Asian British – Indian’ (36.5%), ‘Mixed - White and Asian’ (34.8%) and ‘White British’ (31.5%). Coverage in all other ethnic groups was markedly lower. However, we know that people in some ethnic groups are also more likely to live in areas of deprivation.
In 2018, Becca Heritage was a young university student studying medicine, with the ambition to become an NHS doctor, when she was suddenly rushed into hospital with meningitis and sepsis. Becca faced a long battle with the effects of the disease and underwent several amputations and lost both her legs. But her bravery and determination mean she is now in her final year of medicine. Speaking about her experience, Becca said:
Meningitis is so easily preventable now with a vaccine. To any parents with young children or young people, especially those going to university, I urge you to take this simple, life-saving step of being vaccinated. If I could have prevented my infection, my life might have taken a very different course. While I feel incredibly lucky to be here today, I know not everyone gets that chance. Give your children or yourself that chance.
NHS Director of Vaccination, Caroline Temmink, said:
The NHS worked hard to quickly establish and deliver this first-ever potentially life-saving programme, and it’s great that in the eligible cohort as a whole, more than a quarter of a million young people have already received vital protection.
But we want to reach more young people, which is why the offer of MenB vaccination remains in place at high street pharmacies across the country and we’re encouraging anyone who is eligible, particularly young people starting university for the first time, to come forward and get protected as soon as possible.
For more information on Meningococcal disease see: MenB vaccine for children - NHS; or for students to book or check eligibility for a vaccine see: Book a MenB vaccination appointment - NHS.
Further advice and support can be found at Meningitis in students - Information and advice