Some young adults aged between 17 and 25 years old can get free NHS MenB vaccinations this year.
They are recommended to help protect those at highest risk from MenB disease.
MenB disease is a serious bacterial infection which can cause meningitis, blood poisoning, and sepsis. It progresses very quickly and can be fatal.
Who is eligible?
Free NHS MenB vaccinations will be available from 20th July 2026 if you were:
- Born between 1st September 2007 and 31st August 2008, or
- Born on or after 21st July 2001 and are starting university for the first time in autumn, or
- Born on or after 21st July 2001 and are starting some residential further education colleges for the first time in autumn 2026 as a residential student
When you go for your vaccinations, staff may ask which of these groups you are in. Please have your offer of a college or university place with you to show them.
How to get your vaccinations
Two doses of the MenB vaccine are necessary, at least 28 days apart.
- Book your 1st dose online at www.nhs.uk/book-menb, or
- Find a walk-in site at www.nhs.uk/menb-walk-in
You will be able to book your 2nd dose once you have had your 1st dose.
Why the NHS is offering you MenB vaccinations
MenB can cause meningitis, where the membranes surrounding the brain or spine become inflamed. This can lead to brain damage.
If MenB enters the blood, it can cause septicaemia (blood poisoning) which can damage the body’s tissues and organs.
It can also cause sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to an infection.
Some people carry MenB bacteria in their nose or throat without becoming ill. It can spread through close and regular contact such as sneezing, coughing, kissing or sharing food or drinks when people live or socialise closely together, including at universities.
Vaccination is the most effective protection. Read more in your NHS App or at www.nhs.uk/meningitis.
If you need help booking
Phone 119. Translators are available. You can also use text phone 18001 119 or the NHS British Sign Language service at www.signvideo.co.uk/nhs119.
This information is from the NHS England Vaccination Team
Data protection: NHS England is responsible for processing personal data for the purpose of national vaccination programmes. You can read our privacy notice at www.england.nhs.uk/privacy-notice. If you have questions about a vaccination
[Audio version]
Getting free NHS menin-jo-coccal B (MenB) vaccinations
Some young adults aged between seventeen and twenty-five years old can get free NHS MenB vaccinations this year.
They are recommended to help protect those at highest risk from MenB disease.
MenB disease is a serious bacterial infection which can cause meningitis, blood poisoning, and sepsis. It progresses very quickly and can be fatal.
Who is eligible?
Free NHS MenB vaccinations will be available from the twentieth of July twenty twenty six if you were:
Born between the first of September two thousand and seven and thirty-first of August two thousand and eight, or
Born on or after the twenty-first of July two thousand and one and are starting university for the first time in autumn, or
Born on or after the twenty-first of July two thousand and one and are starting some residential further education colleges for the first time in autumn twenty twenty six as a residential student
When you go for your vaccinations, staff may ask which of these groups you are in. Please have your offer of a college or university place with you to show them.
How to get your vaccinations
Two doses of the MenB vaccine are necessary, at least twenty eight days apart.
Book your first dose online at w w w dot nhs dot uk forward slash book dash menb, or
Find a walk-in site at w w w dot nhs dot uk forward slash menb dash walk dash in.
You will be able to book your second dose once you have had your first dose.
Why the NHS is offering you MenB vaccinations
MenB can cause meningitis, where the membranes surrounding the brain or spine become inflamed. This can lead to brain damage.
If MenB enters the blood, it can cause septisaemia (blood poisoning) which can damage the body’s tissues and organs.
It can also cause sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to an infection.
Some people carry MenB bacteria in their nose or throat without becoming ill. It can spread through close and regular contact such as sneezing, coughing, kissing or sharing food or drinks when people live or socialise closely together, including at universities.
Vaccination is the most effective protection. Read more in your NHS App or at w w w dot nhs dot uk forward slash meningitis
If you need help booking
Phone one one nine. Translators are available. You can also use text phone one eight zero zero one one one nine or the NHS British Sign Language service at w w w dot signvideo dot co dot uk forward slash nhs one one nine.
This information is from the NHS England Vaccination Team
Data protection: NHS England is responsible for processing personal data for the purpose of national vaccination programmes. You can read our privacy notice at w w w dot england dot nhs dot uk forward slash privacy dash notice. If you have questions about a vaccination invite, go to: w w w dot england dot nhs dot uk forward slash invite dash en quiry.