Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThousands of students starting university or residential college this autumn will be eligible for a free meningococcal group B (MenB) vaccine from 20 July. The programme follows an outbreak in Kent linked to two deaths and targets students born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting university for the first time in autumn 2026. The MenB vaccine protects against meningococcal group B bacteria, which can cause life-threatening meningitis and septicaemia. University students are prioritised due to a higher risk of exposure in close living and social environments, especially during their first year. Vaccinations will be available at participating pharmacies across England, with two doses recommended at least 28 days apart for optimal protection. In fullMeningitis B vaccine rollout begins: Who is eligible and the symptoms to knowMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

The risk of MenB for first-year university students is about seven times higher than people a similar age who did not go to university

Meningococcal B can cause serious, life-threatening problems including inflammation of the lining of the brain and sepsis (blood poisoning).

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Thousands of students will be eligible for a free meningococcal group B (MenB) vaccine from July 20

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JCVI says children should have one or two doses of menB vaccine at age 15, depending on if they had one as a baby