Meningitis B (MenB) Vaccine

We have received many questions about the meningitis B (MenB) vaccine following the recent outbreak in Kent.

The MenB vaccine was introduced around 10 years ago. This means that most teenagers and adults were not routinely offered this vaccine when they were younger. However, many people will have received other meningitis vaccines, such as MenC or MenACWY, either at their GP surgery or at school.

At present, the NHS only offers the MenB vaccine to:

• Babies under the age of 2, as part of the routine schedule
• People identified during a local outbreak, if advised by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

For patients who are immunosuppressed, the vaccine is only given if recommended by their hospital consultant. This is because the decision depends on the individual’s condition and treatment. We follow the national guidance: Immunisation of individuals with underlying medical conditions

If you would like the MenB vaccine and are not eligible on the NHS, you can choose to have it privately at some pharmacies.

Although this may change in the future, the NHS does not currently offer a catch-up MenB vaccine for older children or adults.

Vaccinations against meningitis

Meningitis can be caused by a number of different infections, so several vaccinations offer some protection against it. These include the:

• MenB vaccine – offered to babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at 1 year
• 6-in-1 vaccine – offered to children at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks and 18 months
• pneumococcal vaccine – 2 doses offered to babies at 16 weeks and 1 year, and a single dose offered to adults aged 65 or over
• MMRV vaccine – offered to children at 12 months and 18 months
• MenACWY vaccine – offered to teenagers, sixth formers and "fresher" students going to university for the first time

Please note: The MenB vaccine was added to the NHS immunisation schedule for infants in 2015, providing protection for babies and young children in the UK. It is separate from the MenACWY.

Teenagers and young adults born before 1 May 2015, will not have received the MenB vaccine as part of the NHS schedule. There is no NHS catch up programme for the MenB vaccine. It is available privately for a cost.

Catch up vaccination clinics

Catch up vaccination clinics for those aged up to 25 who have missed the HPV and MenACWY immunisations are also taking place at the following locations:

• Saturday 21 March, 10am to 3pm, Queensway Health Centre, Queensway, Hatfield, AL10 0LF (offering HPV and MenACWY)
• Saturday 21 March, 10am to 3pm, St Michael's Mead Community Centre, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 4FZ (offering HPV and MenACWY)
• Saturday 21 March, 10am to 3pm, Peace Children's Centre, Peace Prospect, Watford, WD17 3EW (offering HPV and MenACWY)
• Sunday 22 March, 10am–3pm, Waltham Cross Health Centre, Stanhope Road, Waltham Cross, EN8 7DJ (offering HPV and MenACWY)

Published: Mar 17, 2026