Young people preparing to head off to university or move into student accommodation this summer are being encouraged to protect their health by taking up a free MenB vaccination.
North East Lincolnshire Council’s Public Health officials are reminding Year 13 students, and anyone under 25 starting higher or residential further education, that they may be eligible for the MenB vaccine at no cost.
MenB (meningococcal group B) is a serious infection that can lead to meningitis and septicaemia, both of which can become life-threatening very quickly. However, two doses of the MenB vaccine can significantly reduce the risk.
With thousands of students set to begin a new chapter in shared living environments, where infections can spread more easily, getting vaccinated before the start of term is strongly advised.
Public health officials are urging students and parents to add the MenB vaccine to their pre-university checklist, alongside essentials such as accommodation, course enrolment and finances.
The MenB vaccination service will start on 20 July and run until 31 December 2026. This will be a walk-in service provided by local pharmacies.
For more information about the one-off MenB vaccination programme, head to Who is eligible for the new one-off MenB vaccine programme? – UK Health Security Agency. To find out which pharmacies near you are offering the vaccine, go to Find a pharmacy that offers walk-in MenB vaccinations for young people – NHS or speak to your local community pharmacist.
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