Guidance

MenB time limited vaccination offer: information for healthcare practitioners

Published 29 June 2026

Applies to England

This guidance is for the urgent, time-limited Meningococcal B vaccination programme for:

• all those with a date of birth between 1 September 2007 to 31 August 2008 (Year 13 age group in the academic year 2025/2026)

and

• those born on or after 21 July 2001 who will be attending undergraduate Higher Education or living in further education accommodation or further education halls of residence for the first time in Autumn 2026 (hereafter referred to as “HERFE entrants”)

Information for healthcare practitioners

This information for healthcare practitioner guidance is about the urgent time-limited Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination programme being offered to all those with a date of birth between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 (the Year 13 age group in the academic year 2025/26) and those born on or after 21 July 2001 who will be attending undergraduate Higher Education or living in further education accommodation or further education halls of residence for the first time in Autumn 2026 (hereafter referred to as “HERFE entrants”).

The information in this document was correct at the time of publication. Only access this document online to ensure that you are using the latest version.

All healthcare practitioners involved in delivering this MenB vaccination programme should ensure that they have read the UKHSA/NHSE letter.

Introduction

Following the unprecedented MenB outbreak, primarily among University of Kent students in March 2026, and clusters in Weymouth and Reading more recently, a one-off and time-limited offer of MenB vaccination is being made to those considered at highest risk, before the start of the 2026/2027 academic year and the peak season for MenB in the autumn. Those entering university for the first time and who are under the age of 25 are considered at highest risk from MenB disease.

The outbreak in Canterbury, Kent was the fastest growing and largest cluster of MenB seen in the UK to date. The drivers of the outbreak may have included the bacterial strain, changes in population immunity, social and environmental factors, or a combination of these and further work is ongoing to explore these. Genomic analysis of the bacteria that caused the Canterbury outbreak showed changes from previous strains seen in England. The significance of this is not yet known but may help explain why this incident was so much larger and grew much more rapidly than previous outbreaks. 

In line with other infections transmitted by the respiratory route, MenB cases in England dipped due to the implementation of COVID-19 control measures (social distancing and lockdown periods) across the UK from March 2020, but rates have since returned to pre-pandemic levels. This dip in MenB cases in England may have reduced population exposure (and thus immunity) to these bacteria, leaving greater numbers of young people at risk of disease.

In recent years there have been around 5 to 10 clusters annually, almost all involving 2 cases. So far in the 2025/2026 season however, there have been 7 clusters of 3 or more cases, including the recent clusters in Canterbury, Weymouth and Reading. These have all occurred outside the usual highest period (October to January) of meningococcal activity.

In this context, Ministers have decided to make a one-off, time-limited offer of MenB vaccination for those in the school year group immediately prior to HERFE entry, and others aged less than 25 years entering HERFE for the first time (see eligibility section below and in the UKHSA/NHSE letter). Evidence shows that the relative risk of invasive MenB disease is substantially greater in young people in their first year attending university than in their peers who are not attending higher education.

Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease is caused by invasive infection with the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. There are 12 identified capsular groups of N. meningitidis of which groups B, C, W and Y were historically the most common cause of IMD in the UK. IMD is rare but extremely serious, most commonly presenting as either meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) or septicaemia (blood poisoning), or a combination of both. Other sterile sites such as the pericardium, lungs or joints can more rarely be affected.

Meningococci commonly colonise the nasopharynx of humans, especially adolescents and young adults and usually do not cause invasive disease. Between 5% and 10% of young adults may carry the bacteria without any signs or symptoms of the disease. In infants and young children, the carriage rate is low. The bacteria rarely go on to cause invasive disease.

The meningococci are transmitted by respiratory aerosols, droplets or by direct contact with the respiratory secretions of someone carrying the bacteria. Transmission usually requires either frequent or prolonged close contact. Age, smoking, preceding viral infection and living in ‘closed’ or ‘semi-closed’ communities, such as university halls of residence, have been identified as risk factors for developing disease. There is a marked seasonal variation in meningococcal disease, with peak levels in the winter months declining to low levels by late summer. The incubation period is from 2 to 7 days from acquisition.

Risk of meningococcal disease

Since the introduction of the routine MenC vaccination programme in 1999, and the MenACWY teenage vaccine in 2015, cases of IMD in the UK due to capsular groups C, W and Y reduced significantly across all age groups with only sporadic cases now arising.

Prior to the introduction of the infant MenB and teenage MenACWY immunisation programmes in 2015, MenB was responsible for 58% (418 of 724) of all cases of IMD in 2014 to 2015 (1) with the highest incidence being reported among infants, followed by toddlers and then adolescents aged 15 to 19.

The MenB infant programme has reduced the disease in vaccinated cohorts by around 75% when compared with trends in unvaccinated cohorts. The vaccine is effective against most, but not all, MenB strains in vaccinated individuals. Unlike MenACWY vaccine, however, the MenB vaccine does not protect against carriage of the meningococcus strains it contains and therefore will not lead to herd protection across the wider population.

In recent years, there have been 300 to 400 cases of IMD annually, with an average of 7% mortality. MenB has accounted for over 85% of cases over this period. Nearly 1 in 10 MenB cases suffers major disabilities including amputations and hearing loss and mortality due to MenB is around 6%.

Infants and young children

IMD can affect individuals in all age groups, but prior to the introduction of the MenB vaccination programme, the rates of MenB disease were highest in children under 2 years of age. The overall risk of IMD is very low (less than 1 per 100,000 population per annum) (2). Meningococcal cases increase from birth and, at the time that MenB vaccination was first considered, cases of invasive meningococcal disease increased from birth and peaked in infancy before declining gradually (3). However, since the introduction of the MenB vaccination programme in 2015 (when vaccination was offered at 8 and 16 weeks of age) the peak age of infection shifted from 5 to 6 months to 1 to 3 months of age, with a substantial proportion of cases occurring before infants had gained protection from the second dose of vaccine. This was addressed, in 2025, by bringing the offer of the infant doses forward to 8 and 12 weeks of age. Cases remain low until 12 years of age and then gradually increase to a smaller peak at 18 years before declining again.

Individuals in risk groups

Individuals with asplenia or confirmed splenic dysfunction, or with complement disorders or in receipt of complement inhibitor therapy that inhibits the terminal complement pathway, are at increased risk of invasive meningococcal infection and are advised to receive additional vaccinations against meningococcal disease, depending on their age at diagnosis or presentation, and their vaccination history (see Green Book Chapter 7). 

Adolescents and young adults

Data on invasive meningococcal disease from the last 5 years shows that the highest number of MenB cases outside infancy occurs in young people aged 18 to 19 years. Within this group, students in their first year of university are at around a 7-fold increased risk of MenB disease compared to peers of the same age (4). The highest risk is for students attending universities with catered accommodation (5). This is likely to be linked to higher risk of exposure to MenB bacteria in shared social spaces such as bars and restaurant halls (6). Shared accommodation, particularly sharing social and catering facilities, and close mixing (including with people from different parts of the country or internationally) increases exposure to strains of MenB that are different to those encountered during childhood and therefore people have less natural immunity to them. Students returning for their second or subsequent years of HERFE do not have the same level of risk compared to those entering HERFE for the first time.

Offering vaccination to those finishing school Year 13 in England this year, and anyone of equivalent age (dates of birth:1 September 2007 to 31 August 2008), is the most practical way of targeting people going on to further or higher education this year and is the most equitable way to reach the highest risk age cohort. In addition, as not everyone goes straight into further or higher education from leaving school, the MenB vaccine is being offered to anyone less than 25 years of age who will be attending undergraduate Higher Education or living in further education accommodation or halls of residence for the first time.

As mixing patterns and behaviours tend to be different, those attending educational establishments primarily serving younger age groups than university age (such as boarding school) are not at the same level of risk, so they are not eligible for this time-limited vaccination programme. Similarly, individuals aged 25 years or over, are not eligible as the risk of MenB is significantly lower in this age group.

MenB vaccine: Bexsero®

The MenB vaccine supplied for use in this programme is a 4-component protein-based meningococcal B vaccine (also referred to as 4CMenB), manufactured by GSK and marketed as Bexsero®.

It is a non-live vaccine made from 3 Neisseria meningitidis proteins produced by recombinant DNA technology (Neisseria meningitidis group B NHBA fusion protein, Neisseria meningitidis group B NadA protein, Neisseria meningitidis group B fHbp fusion protein) and a preparation of Neisseria meningitidis capsular group B outer membrane vesicle (OMV) Neisseria meningitidis group B strain NZ98/254.

Bexsero® does not protect against all the strains of bacteria within group B but it has been designed to protect against the most commonly circulating strains and has broad coverage against most MenB strains causing IMD. It is estimated to protect against 66 to 88% of MenB strains in England and Wales (7), and the strain of MenB responsible for the outbreaks in Canterbury, Weymouth and Reading in March 2026 is covered by Bexsero®.

Bexsero® has been approved for use in over 40 countries across a variety of age ranges since its initial license was granted in 2013. It is immunogenic in young infants (8) and adolescents (9) and is licensed for use from 2 months of age.

Since September 2015 it has been in use in the UK childhood immunisation schedule for the prevention of meningococcal group B disease. It has been very effective in preventing MenB disease in infants and toddlers (10) and the vaccine effectiveness for Bexsero® is estimated to be between 85 and 95% for the strains covered by the vaccine. Evidence from administration of Bexsero® to adolescents in south Australia indicates protection from a complete course of the vaccine lasts for at least 5 years (11).

Since 2015, this vaccine has also been given to UK adolescents and adults who are identified to be at increased risk from meningococcal B infection because of an underlying medical condition such as asplenia, splenic dysfunction or complement disorder, and also to laboratory workers handling meningococcal isolates.

The bacterium which causes gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) is genetically closely related to the bacterium which causes meningococcal disease (Neisseria meningitidis). Studies have estimated that the Bexsero® vaccine may provide around 30 to 40% protection against gonorrhoea for at least 4 years after vaccination and a selective vaccination programme for a sub-cohort of gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM) at increased risk of gonorrhoea commenced in 2025. This is being provided through sexual health services. The vaccine does not provide complete protection against gonorrhoea, so condoms are important to protect not only against gonorrhoea but other sexually transmitted infections.

Several other countries in addition to the UK also recommend Bexsero® for children, adolescents and adults. This means there is extensive real-world data and clinical trial data to show that Bexsero® is being used safely and is immunogenic when used against MenB in the child, adolescent and adult population.

In the UK, over 19 000 doses of Bexsero® vaccine have been given to young adults in Kent following the MenB outbreak in March 2026 and several thousand doses have also been given following the cases in Weymouth and Reading.

Cross protection against other meningococcal capsular groups

Whilst Bexsero® has broad coverage against most MenB strains causing IMD in England, it does not offer protection against all MenB strains. However, it can offer protection against some non-MenB strains because it is not targeting the outer polysaccharide that is group specific. An English study (10) has generated real-world evidence that Bexsero® vaccine offers some protection against the hypervirulent MenW strain that was circulating during the 2010s and that led to the introduction of the MenACWY programme. However, it is important that individuals requiring protection against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W and Y receive the MenACWY conjugate vaccine and they should not be assumed to be protected against these capsular groups even if they have received a complete course of Bexsero®.

Requirement for 2 doses

Two doses are required for protection. Protection develops around 2 weeks after the second dose has been administered.

Eligibility for the meningococcal B immunisation programme

From 20 July 2026, MenB vaccination should be offered to:  

• all individuals born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 (Year 13 age group in the 2025/2026 academic year)
• individuals who were born on or after 21 July 2001 who are due to start undergraduate higher education in autumn 2026, including international students and those from the UK Devolved Administrations and Crown Dependencies
• individuals who were born on or after 21 July 2001 who will be living in further education accommodation or further education halls of residence for the first time in autumn 2026, including international students and those from the UK Devolved Administrations and Crown Dependencies

A list of residential Further Education settings in England from which students will be eligible for vaccination will be made available in an update to the UKHSA/NHSE letter.

Exclusions include:  

• those aged less than 25 years, who are not entering HERFE for the first time in the Autumn term 2026, and fall outside the dates of birth for the 2025/2026 Year 13 age group (born 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008)
• postgraduate students and other students who are not entering HERFE for the first time in the Autumn term of 2026
• those who completed a 2-dose course of Bexsero® within the last 5 years.
• those who completed a 2-dose (provided those doses were given at least 6 months apart) or 3-dose course of Trumenba® within the last 5 years.

This is a time-limited offer (with first doses offered until 31 December 2026 and second doses offered until 31 March 2027), to enable late attendees, and international students who arrive in the UK after the summer months, to accept the offer of 2 doses. 

Any individual born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 may be vaccinated if they present for their first dose (from 20 July 2026 until 31 December 2026), irrespective of the fact they will no longer be in Year 13.

Eligible individuals who turn 25 years of age before they have received their second dose of vaccine should still receive it before the programme end date of 31 March 2027, irrespective of the fact that they will be 25 when they receive it.

Further detail about confirming eligibility and provision of evidence of eligibility is provided in Annexe A of the UKHSA/NHSE letter.

Vaccine schedule

For the Year 13 and first time HERFE entrant vaccination programme, Bexsero® should be administered as a 2-dose course, with a minimum 4-week (28 day) interval between doses.

It is important that the individual receives the second dose as they will not be protected after one dose. Protection develops around 2 weeks after the second dose has been administered.

It is important to reiterate to the individual the importance of completing the 2-dose course of Bexsero and to inform them that MenB vaccine only protects the individual who has received it: there is no herd immunity from others around them having been vaccinated. Unimmunised or partially immunised individuals must therefore complete a 2-dose course as they cannot reply on others having the vaccine to protect them from acquiring the infection. It is also important to remind them of the need to complete MenACWY vaccination before attending university and of catching up on any other missed vaccines like MMR and HPV.

Currently, the evidence from administration of Bexsero® to adolescents in South Australia indicates that protection from a completed 2-dose course of the vaccine lasts for at least 5 years (11). Pending the availability of longer-term follow-up data, a further single dose of Bexsero® is being recommended for those who are eligible for this vaccination programme who completed a 2-dose course 5 or more years ago. This recommendation is being made in order to optimise the protection of individuals within this cohort, who are being offered vaccination now because of their increased risk of disease.

Timing of vaccine offer

As 2 doses of the Bexsero® vaccine are required for protection and protection commences from 2 weeks after the second dose, the second dose should ideally be administered at least 2 weeks before attending HERFE to enable them to be fully protected prior to first arriving at their place of study. It is therefore important that first doses of vaccination start to be offered as soon as practicably possible once the programme commences (20 July 2026). This should allow sufficient time for the second dose to be offered a minimum of 28 days after the first dose and a full immune response to be made.

If it has not been possible to vaccinate individuals with either the first or second dose before their academic course commences, both doses should still be offered, commencing as soon as possible. First doses can be offered up to 31 December 2026. The second dose should be offered to anyone who has received a first dose, after a minimum interval of 4 weeks and before the second dose offer end date of 31 March 2027. To provide individual protection, providers should clearly explain the need for both doses to those presenting for their first dose and facilitate timely administration of the second dose.

Vaccine preparation and administration

Vaccine supply

Providers should order the MenB vaccine, Bexsero®, using the Federated Data Platform (FDP). The vaccine is provided in packs of 10 doses with no needles. Providers will need to source their own needles. A 25mm 23 gauge (blue hub) or 25mm 25 gauge (orange hub) needle should be used.

It is recommended that providers only order what they need for a 2 to 4 week period and do not over-order or stockpile vaccines. Stocks of vaccine should be rotated in fridges with shortest expiry dates at the front so that wastage is minimised.

Vaccine excipients

Bexsero® does not contain thiomersal or porcine gelatine. The tip cap and rubber plunger stopper of the pre-filled syringe the vaccine is supplied in are made with synthetic rubber. For a full list of excipients, healthcare professionals should read the manufacturer’s summary of product characteristics (SPC).

Shelf life

Bexsero® has a shelf life of 4 years when stored in line with manufacturer recommendations.

Vaccine storage

Bexsero® should be stored in a vaccine refrigerator between +2°C and +8°C. It should not be frozen and it should be stored in the original packaging to protect it from light.

Further information on vaccine storage is available in the SPC, the Patient Group Direction and from the manufacturer. To ensure vaccines are ordered, stored and monitored as per national recommendations, healthcare professionals should familiarise themselves with the recommendations made in Chapter 3 of the Green Book ‘Storage, distribution and disposal of vaccines’.

Preparing Bexsero®

Bexsero® is supplied as a white opalescent liquid suspension (0.5mL) in a pre-filled syringe for injection. During storage, the contents of the syringe may settle with off-white deposits being noticeable. Before use, the pre-filled syringe must be shaken well so that any observable deposits are thoroughly mixed into the liquid, forming a homogenous suspension that should be administered immediately. The vaccine should not be administered where there are variations in physical appearance (such as having the appearance of a non-homogenous suspension) or where there are signs of foreign particulate after shaking. 

Vaccine administration

Bexsero® should be administered by intramuscular (IM) injection into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm (or anterolateral aspect of the thigh where the deltoid cannot be used). Refer to Immunisation procedures: the green book, chapter 4 for details.

Administration of Bexsero® during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding

There is no evidence of risk from vaccinating pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding with inactivated bacterial vaccines and meningococcal vaccines may be given to pregnant women when clinically indicated. In cases where meningococcal immunisation has been inadvertently given in pregnancy, there has been no evidence of harm to the unborn baby.

The benefits of vaccination against MenB should be discussed with pregnant and breastfeeding women. Those who are pregnant should be advised that MenB vaccines offer protection against serious invasive disease.

While pregnancy itself does not elevate the risk of acquiring meningococcal disease, those in the eligible age cohort have been recommended to receive the vaccine and should be encouraged to be immunised while they remain eligible.

Pregnant women who decline MenB vaccination during pregnancy can receive the vaccine after delivery if they present for vaccination prior to the first dose offer ending on 31 December 2026.

Administering Bexsero® with other vaccines

Bexsero® can be given at the same time as, or at any interval from, any other vaccines (with the exception of Trumenba, see below). If an individual has recently received a dose of another vaccine, vaccination with Bexsero® can still proceed.

Any co-administered vaccines should be given at separate sites, preferably in separate arms or limbs.

Trumenba® and Bexsero® MenB vaccines are not interchangeable. Where an individual has received one or more doses of Trumenba® and is now commencing a course of Bexsero®, a minimum interval of 28 days is recommended between the last dose of Trumenba® and the first dose of Bexsero®.

Adverse reactions commonly associated with the administration of Bexsero®

The most common local and systemic adverse reactions reported following Bexsero® in adolescents and adults include swelling, redness and tenderness at the injection site, malaise and headache. Mild fever, nausea and muscle aches have also been reported. Vaccinated individuals should be informed that these are common side effects and they should resolve after one or two days.

Although prophylactic paracetamol is recommended for infants when Bexsero® is co-administered with other vaccines because of increased rates of fever, this is not a concern for older children (from age 1), adolescents or adults. Prophylactic paracetamol is not, therefore, recommended for the adults and young people receiving this vaccine. However, paracetamol or other over the counter pain medication may be taken if needed for local or systemic post-vaccination symptoms.

No increase in the incidence or severity of the adverse reactions was seen with the administration of subsequent doses.

As is the case for all medicines, all suspected serious adverse reactions should be reported to the MHRA using the Yellow Card scheme.

As for all vaccines, staff administering Bexsero should have received training in and have up to date knowledge of the recognition and management of anaphylaxis and have adrenaline available for immediate administration if required. They should also be alert to the possibility of the vaccine recipient fainting and vaccinators should ensure that the floorspace in the vaccination area is suitable if a patient faints or collapses.

There should be sufficient space in the clinical area where vaccines are being given to ensure that resuscitation can be carried out should it be required. Ideally, there should also be access to an oxygen supply, with suitably sized face masks and tubing. Further details can be found in chapter 8 of the Green Book.

Contraindications to receiving Bexsero®

There are very few individuals who cannot receive meningococcal vaccines. Where there is doubt, instead of withholding immunisation, appropriate advice should be sought from a specialist with immunisation expertise, a member of the local Screening and Immunisation team or from the local UKHSA health protection team. Also see the meningococcal chapter in the Green Book for more information.

Bexsero® should not be administered to those who have had:

• a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine

or

• a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to any component of the vaccine, excipient or residue from the manufacturing process

For the composition and full list of excipients in the vaccine, refer to the manufacturer’s Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC).

Individuals presenting with minor illness

Minor illnesses without fever or systemic upset are not valid reasons to postpone immunisation. If an individual is acutely unwell, immunisation may be postponed until they have recovered fully. This is to avoid confusing the differential diagnosis of any acute illness by wrongly attributing any signs or symptoms to the adverse effects of the vaccine.

Common questions and issues

Individuals who have previously received 2 doses of Bexsero® MenB vaccine

Current evidence suggests a course of Bexsero® protects for at least 5 years. Some individuals may have received MenB vaccine privately, in another country, or as part of an outbreak response. They may also have received it because they are in one of the clinical risk groups for whom the vaccine is recommended or as part of the gonorrhoea vaccination programme.

If they have received 2 doses in the past 5 years, a minimum of 4 weeks (28 days) apart, this would count as a complete vaccination course and no further doses will be required. If they have received doses less than 28 days apart, see section on “Inadvertent early administration of the second dose” below.

If the course was received 5 or more years previously, a single dose can be offered now. This recommendation is being made, in the current absence of evidence for length of protection beyond 5 years, in order to optimise the protection of individuals within this cohort who are being offered vaccination now because of their increased risk of disease.

Individuals who have previously only received a single dose of Bexsero® MenB vaccine

If an individual has only received a single dose of MenB vaccine previously, a second dose should be given a minimum of 4 weeks after that dose to complete the course. There is no need to restart the course, irrespective of the timing of their previous dose

Individuals with an uncertain history of MenB vaccination

If the individual is uncertain as to whether they have received MenB vaccine previously, they should be offered a 2-dose course of vaccination with Bexsero® rather than risk leaving them unprotected. In clinical trials, no increase in the incidence or severity of the adverse reactions to Bexsero® vaccination (commonly pain at the injection site, malaise and headache) was seen with the administration of further doses.

Individuals who have previously received the Trumenba® MenB vaccine

There are 2 licensed MenB vaccines: Bexsero® (manufactured by GSK) and Trumenba® (manufactured by Pfizer). More details about Trumenba® are available in the Green Book meningococcal chapter and the vaccine’s SPC. This vaccine is not routinely given in the UK but is sometimes given to contacts of a case and it may also be obtained privately or have been administered to individuals coming to the UK from another country. Therefore, individuals may present having already received a partial or completed course of Trumenba®.

Trumenba® is administered as either a 2-dose course with a minimum interval of 6 months between doses or as a 3-dose course with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between the first and second dose and a minimum interval of 4 months between the second and third doses. Either schedule is considered a complete course.

Trumenba® and Bexsero® MenB vaccines are not interchangeable. Therefore, if the individual has had the first dose of a 2-dose course, or the first 2 doses of a 3-dose course of Trumenba® at the correct minimum intervals, or 2 doses delivered less than 6 months apart, they could either:

• have a 2-dose course of Bexsero®. A minimum 4 week interval is recommended between any Trumenba® and Bexsero® dose

or:

• choose to have the remaining doses privately at the appropriate intervals (there is no need to restart the course); it is important to reiterate to the individual the importance of completing the full course to ensure that they are protected and to inform them that MenB vaccine only protects the individual who has received it

Individuals who have received a complete course of Trumenba® vaccination at the correct minimum intervals do not now require Bexsero® unless their completing dose was 5 or more years ago, in which case they should now be offered a 2-dose course of Bexsero®.

Vaccine administration errors

Inadvertent early administration of the second dose

The recommended schedule for Bexsero® vaccine is 2 doses, with the second dose given a minimum of 4 weeks (28 days) after the first dose.

Vaccinators should adhere to the recommended 28 day interval. If the second dose is inadvertently given from 21 days after the first dose, this will count as a valid dose. However, if the second dose is inadvertently given earlier than 21 days after the first dose, this dose should be discounted as this may lead to a reduced immune response. The dose should be repeated, ensuring an interval of at least 28 days from the dose that was inadvertently given early.

Incomplete dose administered

If less than the recommended dose of Bexsero® is administered, the vaccination will need to be repeated because the dose received may not be sufficient to evoke a full immune response. Where possible, the dose of Bexsero® should be repeated on the same day as the incomplete dose was administered.

If the additional dose of Bexsero® cannot be administered at the same visit or on the same day, arrangements should be made to administer the replacement dose as soon as possible, in order not to delay protection.

Healthcare practitioner resources alignment with the UKHSA Immunisation Equity Strategy

UKHSA immunisation healthcare practitioner resources are designed to uphold and actively advance the principles set out in the UKHSA Immunisation Equity Strategy 2025–2030, supporting all individuals – regardless of background, circumstances, or barriers to access-to benefit equitably from vaccination.​

In line with the Strategy’s emphasis on addressing structural, practical, and social barriers to vaccination, UKHSA healthcare practitioner resources are provided in accessible digital formats, including HTML, with PDF versions also available where possible. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices, assistive technologies, and user needs.

To support equitable access to vaccination information, patient-facing leaflets are available in many different formats (both paper versions and online), including in multiple languages, Easy Read formats, Braille, British Sign Language (BSL) and audio.​ All healthcare practitioners with a role in immunisation are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the full range of available resources and to select those that are most appropriate for the individuals or communities they are supporting. ​

UKHSA Immunisation healthcare practitioner training materials are developed to support fairness and accessibility for all learners, supporting the workforce to deliver equitable, high-quality immunisation services.​ The UKHSA immunisation team remain committed to reviewing and enhancing our materials to reflect evolving evidence, community needs, and national guidance.

Useful links

• MenB vaccine (Bexsero®) offer Autumn 2026: PGD template

• MenB vaccine (Bexsero®) offer Autumn 2026: Training Slideset

• Green Book Immunisation against infectious diseases: Meningococcal chapter

• Clinical and public health management of meningococcal disease

• Meningitis Research Foundation

• Meningitis Now

• NHS UK Meningitis overview

• Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation 

• British Society for immunology

Document history

Version number	Change details	Date
01.00	New information document	June 2026

References

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