Key Summary
- The two doses of Bexsero (4CMenB) vaccine should be given 28 days apart.
- The NHSE Supply Chain will be used to supply vaccines, and providers should order using the Federated Data Platform.
- The Bexsero vaccine will be provided in packs of 10 doses without needles, and providers will have to source needles.
Community pharmacies will begin their one-off Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination service from July 20 to ensure that students are vaccinated before the start of the 2026/2027 academic year.
A letter jointly published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England states that two doses of the Bexsero (4CMenB) vaccine are necessary for protection and should be given 28 days apart.
The first dose will be offered until 31 December 2026, and the second dose till 31 March 2027.
The students have been urged to take their first dose as early as possible, so that they can complete the course prior to the start of the academic year.
The letter stated that vaccination will be provided through participating community pharmacies and further operational guidance for community pharmacy contractors will follow.
Eligibility criteria
The vaccination will be available to people who complete year 13 of education in the summer of 2026, born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, as well as those under 25-years old starting university or moving into some residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.
All those within the Year 13 date of birth range (17- and 18-year-olds) will receive the vaccination offer irrespective of their education plans.
They will receive an invitation to book their vaccination appointment on the National Booking Service (NBS).
Those starting university will have to use the NHS website to identify a pharmacy to self-refer.
Vaccine supply
NHS England will provide the vaccines to pharmacies from its centrally procured stock.
The deployment model used for this activity will utilise the NHSE Supply Chain and will require providers to order using the Federated Data Platform (FDP), as was done during COVID.
The Bexsero vaccine will be provided in packs of 10 doses without needles, and providers will have to source their own needles.
The letter urged the commissioners and providers to identify and address health inequalities for all underserved groups.
The vaccination drive is being conducted following the unprecedented MenB outbreak, primarily among University of Kent students in March 2026, and recent clusters in Weymouth and Reading.
Community pharmacy organisations such as NPA, CCA, CPE and others have welcomed the government's decision to involve community pharmacies in the MenB vaccination drive.
