Meningitis Awareness & Vaccine
Do you know the symptoms to look out for?
As you head off for the summer break, we wanted to share some information about meningitis to help you stay safe. You may be aware from recent media coverage of a number of tragic cases of Meningitis B among young people at colleges and universities.
While thankfully rare, meningitis can progress rapidly and can result in death or life-changing after-effects within hours. Young people entering further and higher education are at increased risk due to factors such as close social contact and communal living arrangements.
This information has been developed to raise awareness of meningitis among students and to provide clear guidance on vaccination. In particular, we believe it is important that young people and their families understand that the MenACWY vaccine offered through the NHS school vaccination programme does not protect against MenB, which remains the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in this age group.
A one-off MenB vaccine programme will run from July 2026, and the vaccine will be offered to:
- Everyone in England and Wales born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 (current Year 13 students).
- Those under 25 who will be attending university, or living in further education accommodation or halls of residence, for the first time in autumn 2026.
Details of how invitations will be issued will be announced by the NHS and public health agencies in each nation of the UK. Eligible people should look out for information from their GP practice, NHS services, schools, colleges or universities. For other young people born before 1 May 2015, protection against MenB continues to be available through private vaccination only.
You can find additional free resources, films and downloadable assets designed for students on the Meningitis Now website – https://www.meningitisnow.org/get-support/supporting-young-people/meningitis-in-students/
Receiving any vaccine is a personal choice, so you can find out more and what to expect here.
https://www.gov.wales/menb-vaccine-roll-out-young-people-wales-ahead-new-academic-year