Key Summary
- The offer will benefit those who are not eligible for the national vaccination programme.
- Community pharmacies began their one-off Men B vaccination service from 20 July.
- The catch-up drive aims to increase protection against meningococcal group B disease.
Asda Pharmacy announced that they are making protection more accessible for those who are not eligible for the national Meningitis B vaccination programme.
Between 20 July and 31 August, customers who purchase a private Meningitis B vaccination at an Asda Pharmacy will receive £5 in their Asda Rewards Cashpot.
Community pharmacies began their one-off Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination service from July 20 to ensure that students receive the two doses of vaccine before the start of the 2026/2027 academic year.
Eligible patients in Year 13 or preparing to start their first year at university can book an NHS-funded Meningitis B vaccination appointment through the National Booking Service.
There has also been a surge in bookings after the NHS National Booking Service opened for MenB vaccines at community pharmacies.
The catch-up programme aims to increase protection against meningococcal group B disease, a serious bacterial infection that can lead to life-threatening meningitis and septicaemia.
Chief Executive of the charity Meningitis Now, Dr Tom Nutt, said: "We warmly welcome Asda Pharmacy's support for the NHS MenB vaccination programme and its commitment to helping more young people protect themselves against this devastating disease. MenB remains the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK and teenagers and young adults are among those at greatest risk. Every eligible young person should take up this potentially life-saving NHS vaccination."
"We also recognise the value of making vaccination more accessible for those who are not eligible for the NHS programme, helping more people make informed choices about protecting themselves. At Meningitis Now, our 'No Plan B for MenB' campaign has long called for better protection against MenB, and the availability of both the NHS programme and the private vaccine at a major supermarket pharmacy like Asda plays an important role in reducing the devastating impact that meningitis can have on individuals, families and communities."
