Guidance – Meningitis B Outbreak in Kent

Shore Medical

Meningitis B Vaccines for Teenagers

We understand a number of patients/parents/guardians have contacted us about the MenB vaccines for teenagers due to the recent isolated outbreak. The National UK Vaccine team has just announced an extra campaign starting in July/August 2026. The finer details have not been announced but a summary is below

  • It will be run in community pharmacies with direct booking as well as walk-in vaccination sites.
  • Eligible students will need 2 doses for protection, with the first being offered from July with second dose given in August, two doses of the vaccine are essential for protection.
  • The one-off programme will make MenB vaccination 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 people under 25 years old starting university or moving into some residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.
  • All people within the year 13 date of birth range will receive the offer irrespective of their education plans.
  • Postgraduates or those starting a second (or later) year will not be covered by this offer.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/thousands-of-young-people-to-be-offered-two-dose-menb-vaccine

There is no current plans for GP Practices to be able to give these Meningitis B vaccines to this age group.

Shore will continue to offer the existing National Meningitis Vaccine regimes.

MenB Vaccine – Children under 2

Children are offered 3 doses of the MenB vaccine as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.
They’re offered the vaccine with other routine vaccines at:

  • 8 weeks old
  • 12 weeks old
  • 1 year old

It’s best to have the MenB vaccines on time so children are protected when they’re most at risk of getting MenB illnesses.
But if your child has missed any of their MenB vaccines, contact their GP surgery. They can still have the MenB vaccine up to the age of 2.
https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/menb-vaccine-for-children/

 

MenACWY vaccine

The MenACWY vaccine is recommended for all teenagers. It’s usually given to children when they’re 13 or 14 years old (school year 9).
If you missed having the vaccine when you were at school, you can get it up to the age of 25 years.

Shore offers MenACWY Boosters for who missed the vaccine as part of the schools program. We regularly send all those eligible a reminder and booking link. Or contact reception to arrange.

https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/menacwy-vaccine/