All eligible young people can now book their free first or second MenB vaccination online through the NHS National Booking Service.

When the one-off programme launched on 20 July, only eligible 17 and 18-year-olds could book online through the National Booking Service. All other eligible young people heading to university, or starting at certain further education colleges and living in student accommodation, were encouraged to contact a participating community pharmacy directly.

From today (Thursday 27 August), the service has expanded so everyone eligible can book online. Young people can also continue to use the NHS pharmacy finder to locate a participating community pharmacy.

The expanded booking route comes as more than tens of thousands of MenB vaccinations have been delivered across the Midlands. Health leaders are thanking those who have come forward while urging anyone who has not yet started—or completed—the two-dose course to act as soon as possible.

Dr Ash Banerjee, Public Health Consultant for NHS England in the Midlands said: “It is hugely encouraging that more than 35,000* MenB vaccinations have already been delivered across the Midlands. Each vaccination is an important step towards protecting a young person before they start university or college.

“Booking is now even simpler, with every eligible young person able to use the NHS National Booking Service. If you have not yet had your first dose, please book now. If it has been at least four weeks since your first dose, make sure you arrange your second. Both doses are needed for the best protection.

“Starting university or college is an exciting milestone, but living and socialising closely with lots of new people can increase the risk of MenB spreading. Getting vaccinated is one of the most important things eligible young people can do before term begins.”

Over the coming weeks, NHS teams in the Midlands are also working with community pharmacies, several universities in the region and a Meningitis charity on plans to offer MenB vaccinations at university sites. Further details, including participating universities and dates, will be confirmed shortly.

The one-off, time-limited NHS programme offers free MenB vaccination to:

• young people born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008
• people born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting university as an undergraduate for the first time in autumn 2026
• people born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting at certain further education colleges for the first time in autumn 2026 and will be living in eligible residential accommodation.

Two doses of the MenB vaccine are needed, given at least 28 days apart. Eligible young people are encouraged to have both doses as soon as possible, ideally before moving into shared accommodation and before meningitis cases typically rise in the autumn.

Meningococcal B bacteria can cause meningitis, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and sepsis. The disease can develop rapidly, may cause life-changing complications including hearing loss, brain damage and amputations, and can be fatal.

The bacteria can spread through close or prolonged contact, including kissing, sharing drinks or vapes, and living in shared accommodation. First-year university students are around seven times more likely to develop meningococcal disease than young people of a similar age who do not attend university.

To book or manage a MenB vaccination appointment, visit www.nhs.uk/book-menb. To find a participating pharmacy, visit www.nhs.uk/menb-walk-in. Anyone who cannot book online can call 119 free of charge; translation and accessible services are available.

• *This is an operational figure. The next statistics will be published on 03 September by ICB and region