The one-off vaccination programme is designed to help protect those at highest immediate risk while the Government assesses whether there has been a change in the way MenB affects people and whether any further vaccine roll out response is required.   

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.'

Eligible students will need two doses for protection, with the first being offered from July with a second dose given in August.

The MenB outbreak in Kent earlier this year in which two young people sadly died was the fastest growing and largest ever seen in the UK, while there have also been more clusters than normal this year, some of which have been bigger than expected.

UKHSA data shows there were 313 confirmed cases of MenB in England during 2024/25, accounting for approximately 83% of all invasive meningococcal disease cases, disproportionately affecting young adults and teenagers, as well as infants who are already offered the vaccine through the NHS.

Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, chair of the Local Government Association's Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: ‘Councils are ready to work closely with local partners across the NHS, education settings and communities to support awareness and uptake of the MenB vaccination offer, particularly among students and those preparing to enter higher education.

‘It is vital that those eligible take up this opportunity for protection. Councils will continue to play a central role in providing trusted information and helping young people understand the benefits of vaccination and how to access it.'