As young people across the North East and Yorkshire receive their results today and prepare for the next stage of their lives, the NHS is encouraging those eligible for the MenB vaccine to make sure they are protected before starting university or residential further education this autumn.

Health leaders are warning that MenB can spread through close contact, particularly in shared accommodation, and while rare, can develop rapidly, causing life-changing complications and in some cases death.

Dr Yasmin Khan, Regional Medical Director for NHS North East and Yorkshire, said: “Results day is an exciting milestone for many young people as they prepare for university, further education and other opportunities.

“Starting somewhere new often means meeting and spending time with lots of new people, so alongside thinking about accommodation, travel and finances, we’re encouraging everyone who is eligible for the MenB vaccine to make their health part of their preparations too.

“MenB is uncommon but can be devastating. It can lead to life-changing complications including hearing loss, brain damage and amputations, and in some cases can be fatal. Getting both doses of the vaccine gives the best protection and helps young people start this next chapter with confidence.”

Seventeen and 18-year-olds can book through the NHS National Booking Service, and other eligible young people should contact a participating pharmacy directly. Anyone who misses getting vaccinated before starting university can still get a first dose before 31 December, with second doses available until 31 March 2027 at participating pharmacies across London.

The MenB catch-up campaign is the NHS’s largest ever, running across England to protect a cohort of young people identified as being at significantly higher risk due to university and residential college attendance.

Early uptake of the MenB vaccine has been strong across the North East and Yorkshire, with 13,107 first doses given in the first 11 days of the programme, according to the latest available NHS England statistics.

Thousands of high street pharmacies up and down the country are working to help the NHS deliver vital protection to eligible groups, and the NHS National Booking Service has received more than 135,000 bookings for the coming weeks.

Those eligible for the MenB vaccination should get their vaccine at participating community pharmacies before starting university or residential further education in the autumn.

The MenB vaccination is available to:

• People born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008
• People born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting university for the first time this autumn
• People born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting at some residential further education colleges for the first time this autumn

Two doses are needed, given at least 28 days apart, for full protection.

ENDS

Of the 13,107 doses in North East and Yorkshire (up to 31 July):

• 2,849 in Humber And North Yorkshire ICB
• 4,456 in North East And North Cumbria ICB
• 2,113 in NHS South Yorkshire ICB
• 3,689 in West Yorkshire ICB