Young people urged to book lifesaving meningitis jab at high street pharmacies

Posted on July 14th, 2026

Hundreds of thousands of students heading to university this autumn are being urged by the NHS to book a potentially lifesaving MenB vaccine from today before term starts.

Appointments to get the jab can now be booked at high street pharmacies across England, offering vital protection for 17 and 18-year-olds currently in the last year of sixth form and students under the age of 25 who are heading to residential colleges or university this autumn for the first time.

The first vaccination appointments will be available from Monday 20 July.

Meningococcal B can cause serious, life-threatening problems including inflammation of the lining of the brain and sepsis (blood poisoning). This can lead to life-changing disabilities such as amputations, hearing loss and brain damage, and in some cases can prove fatal.

The bacteria that cause MenB disease can be spread through close contact with an infected person. This can be through kissing, sharing drinks or vapes, or prolonged close contact with the person for long periods of time, such as living in the same home.

Students in their 1st year of university have a risk that is about 7 times higher than that of young people of a similar age who do not go to university.

Eligible students can use the NHS National Booking Service or contact participating pharmacies.

In total, around a million young people are expected to be eligible for the vaccine. Those who are eligible are:

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

2 doses of the vaccine are needed for protection at least 28 days apart.

17 and 18-year-olds can book from today via the NHS National Booking Service for appointments at community pharmacies.

Other eligible people can contact a participating pharmacy to book an appointment, which start from next Monday (20th July).

Booking now gives eligible young people enough time to have both doses before they pack their bags for university or college, and before meningitis cases typically begin to rise in the autumn.