MenB vaccination programme to be rolled out in pharmacies

A one-off meningitis B (MenB) vaccination programme for thousands of young people will be delivered by community pharmacies, the government has said.

All Year 13 students and those under 25 starting university for the first time will be eligible for the two-dose MenB vaccine, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said.

The first dose will be offered from the end of July and the second dose given in August, the department added.

Caroline Temmink, director of vaccination at NHS England, said: ‘The NHS is ready to deliver this vital vaccination programme with appointments available at a number of community pharmacies from the end of July ahead of students starting university.

‘Those eligible will be contacted directly through the NHS App, by text and email. Those under 25 starting university for the first time will be able to book their appointment directly with available pharmacies.’

At a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) press briefing, Ms Temmink confirmed that all pharmacies will be eligible to deliver the vaccination programme, and vaccine stock will be supplied centrally.

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She added that Community Pharmacy England (CPE) was in ongoing discussions with NHS England about how the service will be funded and implemented, with more details to come.

Janet Morrison, chief executive of CPE, said: 'The MenB vaccination programme will be an important step in protecting young people this summer and it is no surprise that the NHS and Government are looking to community pharmacy to help: pharmacies have a strong track-record in making sure vaccinations get to the people who need them most.

'Negotiations about pharmacy’s involvement are ongoing, but we hope to be in a position to share further details with pharmacy owners very soon.'

This programme follows a MenB outbreak in Kent earlier this year which was the fastest growing and largest ever seen in the UK. The DHSC said there have also been ‘more clusters than normal’ this year, some of which have been bigger than expected.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows there were 313 confirmed cases of MenB in England during 2024/25, which accounts for approximately 83% of all invasive meningitis cases, disproportionately affecting young adults and teenagers.

The one-off programme will make MenB vaccination available to people who complete Year 13 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.

DHSC, NHS England and UKHSA will deliver a public information campaign to drive uptake among eligible groups alongside it.

Secretary of state for health and social care, James Murray said: ‘The Kent outbreak and recent clusters indicate a possible change to the way MenB affects people. While we assess the latest evidence, we are acting now to help protect young people at highest immediate risk as they enter university and residential colleges this autumn.

‘By offering two doses of the jab ahead of the academic year, we will help reduce the risk of serious illness and larger outbreaks of this horrendous disease.

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‘I urge all those students who are eligible to come forward for their two doses in July and August, to give them peace of mind as they head off to continue their studies.’

The programme aims to protect those at highest risk while the government assesses whether there has been a change in the way MenB affects people, and whether any further vaccine rollout is needed.

Advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on a longer programme will follow, the DHSC confirmed.

The Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA), which has long been campaigning for a community pharmacy MenB vaccination rollout, has welcomed the government’s announcement.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the IPA, said: ‘Community pharmacies provide the accessibility and convenience which make them an attractive option for those seeking vaccination.

‘With access to right amount of vaccine stock we are confident that community pharmacies can mobilise and deliver this service consistently and promptly to the eligible cohort.’

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Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), added: ‘This will be a huge relief to parents who will be about to send their children to university who will have understandably been concerned about the tragic outbreaks in Kent and elsewhere this year.

‘A number of pharmacies already deliver MenB vaccines as a private service, showing that pharmacies are quickly able to deliver this on the NHS.

‘We now need more details from the government how this rollout will work in practice, but this is yet another example of how pharmacies can offer protection and health services to millions of people on their doorsteps.’

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