Young adults urged to get MenB vaccine as figures show 97% of cases in age group caused by strain.
Young people starting university or residential further education this autumn are being urged to get two doses of the MenB vaccine as new figures underline the risk posed by meningococcal disease.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency shows meningococcal group B disease, known as MenB, accounted for 97% of confirmed invasive meningococcal disease cases among people aged 15 to 24 in England during 2025/26.
There were 93 MenB cases among the 96 cases recorded in that age group.
First-year university students face a substantially higher risk than young people of a similar age who are not attending higher education. Close and prolonged contact with new people in halls, shared accommodation and at social events can increase the risk of the bacteria spreading.
UKHSA is therefore urging everyone eligible for this year’s one-off vaccination programme to receive both doses as soon as possible.
The annual figures show that 348 laboratory-confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease were recorded in England during 2025/26, compared with 379 in the previous year.
MenB accounted for 309 of the 348 cases, or 88.8%.
There were 26 deaths among the confirmed cases, giving a provisional fatality rate of 7.5%.
MenB was also the leading cause of the disease among almost every age group under 25. It accounted for:
- 34 of the 37 cases among babies aged under one – 92%
- all 35 cases among children aged one to four
- all 18 cases among children aged five to nine
- 13 of 15 cases among those aged 10 to 14 – 87%
- 65 of 67 cases among those aged 15 to 19 – 97%
- 28 of 29 cases among those aged 20 to 24 – 97%
Who is eligible for the MenB vaccine?
The time-limited NHS programme is open to people who:
- were born between September 1, 2007, and August 31, 2008; or
- were born on or after July 21, 2001, and are starting university for the first time in autumn 2026; or
- were born on or after that date and are becoming a residential student at an eligible further education college for the first time this autumn.
Eligible students may need to provide evidence of their university or college offer.
The vaccine is given in two doses at least four weeks apart. First doses will remain available until December 31, 2026, and second doses until March 31, 2027.
Appointments can be booked through the NHS website or by calling 119. Walk-in vaccinations are also available at participating pharmacies and do not require the person to be registered with a GP.
The NHS had administered 246,089 doses to young people by August 31, according to UKHSA, but thousands of eligible school-leavers and first-year students had yet to complete the course.
The programme was launched following an unusual series of MenB outbreaks during 2026.
An outbreak in the Canterbury area in March was associated with 21 cases among students and other young people. Further outbreaks involving at least three cases occurred in Dorset and Berkshire.
The outbreaks caused three deaths, while some survivors have been left with long-term health consequences.
Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “University is an exciting time, but it’s also when young people are at greater risk of meningococcal disease due to close, prolonged contact with lots of new people, and today’s figures show just how real that risk is.
“The MenB vaccine offer for students and young people is now underway. It’s absolutely vital that everyone eligible gets their two doses, ideally before term starts or as soon as possible.
“Two doses are essential for the best protection against most strains of Meningitis B, so please don’t leave it half done or too late.”
Vinny Smith, chief executive of the Meningitis Research Foundation, said the figures reinforced the importance of eligible young people taking up the offer.
He said: “This year, we have supported thousands of people affected by England’s MenB outbreaks and know the fear and uncertainty every case can cause.
“If you’re a teen or young adult, don’t wait. Book your vaccine appointment now, get both doses, and give yourself the best possible protection against MenB.”
Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of Meningitis Now, added: “Meningitis can strike suddenly and can have life-changing consequences, and vaccination is our best defence.
“If you are eligible, please get vaccinated. Two doses could help protect you from a disease that can change your life in a matter of hours.”
Parents reminded about childhood vaccinations
Parents are also being advised to ensure babies receive all three routine MenB vaccinations on time.
Under the current childhood vaccination schedule, doses are offered at eight and 12 weeks, followed by a booster at around the child’s first birthday.
Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia
The MenB vaccine protects against most strains of meningococcal group B bacteria, but it does not prevent every infection capable of causing meningitis or septicaemia.
Symptoms can appear in any order and a person may not develop all of them. They can include:
- a high or unusually low temperature
- cold hands and feet
- vomiting
- confusion
- rapid breathing
- muscle or joint pain
- pale, mottled or blotchy skin
- spots or a rash that does not fade under pressure
- a severe headache
- a stiff neck
- discomfort when looking at bright lights
- being unusually sleepy or difficult to wake
- seizures.
A rash can be more difficult to see on brown or black skin. The NHS advises checking paler areas including the palms, soles of the feet, roof of the mouth, whites of the eyes and inside the eyelids.
People should not wait for a rash to appear. Anyone who believes that they or someone else may have meningitis should call 999 or go to A&E immediately. The NHS advises people not to drive themselves to hospital.
MenACWY vaccination also protects against meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y. It is routinely offered to teenagers, but anyone who missed it at school remains eligible until their 25th birthday.
