Key Summary
- Only 26.6% of eligible Year 13s had their first MenB jab in the first nine weeks.
- UKHSA urges students to get both doses following three deadly outbreaks this year.
- Uptake sits at just 11.8% in the poorest areas compared to 45% in the least deprived.
Almost three-quarters of eligible school-leavers in England are yet to take up their first Meningitis B (MenB) vaccine, despite recent regional outbreaks, according to official figures released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
This is the first national NHS vaccination campaign to be delivered solely through community pharmacies.
In its first interim monitoring report on the emergency one-off vaccination drive, the UKHSA revealed that 26.6% of the 2025/26 Year 13 cohort (young people born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008) had received a first dose by 20 September 2026.
While coverage is gradually climbing as the academic term begins, health officials voiced deep concern over the substantial volume of unvaccinated young adults entering high-transmission university environments.
Those who are eligible can book online via the NHS National Booking Service for appointments at community pharmacies or contact a participating pharmacy to book an appointment. The two doses need to be taken at least 28 days apart.
The one-off national programme was launched in July 2026 following three deadly MenB clusters in Kent, Dorset, and Berkshire. Bacterial genome sequencing of the March outbreak in Kent revealed highly unpredictable, aggressive mutations, confirming that hyper-invasive strains can emerge without warning.
Epidemiological data indicates that first-year university students are approximately seven times more likely to contract invasive meningococcal disease than peers not attending higher education, primarily due to intense social mixing in halls of residence.
The surveillance data highlights significant health inequalities across the country:
- Socioeconomic Deprivation: Coverage was almost four times higher in the least deprived areas (45.0%) than in the most deprived communities (11.8%).
- Regional Variation: London recorded the lowest uptake among NHS commissioning regions at 21.0%, while the South East achieved the highest at 31.6%.
- Sex and Ethnicity: Young women had notably higher first-dose uptake than young men (31.5% vs 21.9%). By ethnic group, uptake was highest among individuals identifying as Chinese (42.9%), Indian (36.5%), Mixed White/Asian (34.8%), and White British (31.5%), with significantly lower coverage observed across other minority groups.
Dr Sharif Ismail, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: "We know how devastating Meningitis B can be. The outbreaks in England this year tragically caused three 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."
Highlighting the human cost of the disease, medical student Becca Heritage - who survived a severe bout of meningitis and sepsis in 2018 resulting in bilateral leg amputations - appealed directly to students and parents: "Meningitis is so easily preventable now with a vaccine. 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."
Caroline Temmink, NHS Director of Vaccination, confirmed that over a quarter of a million young people across all eligible categories (including higher education entrants under 25) have now received a jab, reminding students that vaccines remain readily accessible through local high-street pharmacies without requiring prior GP registration.
