Only just over a quarter of eligible young people have received the first dose of MenB, with around 7 in 10 who have started their vaccine course completing it.
Latest UKHSA data shows that up to 31 October 2026, 28.2% of 18 and 19 years olds have taken up dose 1 (228,297 vaccinated of 809,957 eligible individuals).
Of those who have had a first dose, 68.8% (157,169 of 228,297) have also had a second dose.
Eligible 18- and 19-year-olds and first-year students have until 31 December 2026 to get their first dose of the free MenB vaccine and are being encouraged to make an appointment urgently.
This is a “one-off, time-limited offer,” government has stressed to the public, encouraging young people and parents to take up the vaccine.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it is concerned about the low numbers taking up the offer to protect themselves and is urgently calling on young people and their parents to book an appointment.
Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, urged young people not to leave it until too late to receive their vaccine.
“Worryingly only just over a quarter of 18- and 19-year-olds have had their first dose of the MenB vaccine and time is running out to get both doses and protect yourself from this devastating disease. The deadline for getting your first dose is 31 December, so please don’t leave it until the end of term or forget it amongst all the Christmas and other holiday festivities.
“Parties and gatherings inevitably lead to increased mixing with others which raises the risk of meningococcal disease spreading among young people.”
There have been several outbreaks of Meningitis B this year in England and three deaths, government said. Young people mixing with others at university and at parties could be at increased risk of contracting meningitis.
Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of State for Public Health and Patient Safety, said: “It is great that so many young people have received their MenB jab and I pay tribute to all the NHS staff and pharmacies up and down the country who have made this programme possible.
“But many of the young people who are eligible for this jab have still not taken it up, and they are currently missing out on the chance to protect themselves against this terrible disease.”
The programme, delivered through community pharmacies, is open to all 18 and 19-year-olds born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, and to those under 25 who started university, or residential further education, for the first time this autumn.
