# Time running out for young people to receive meningitis B vaccines in UK

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/time-running-out-for-young-people-to-receive-meningitis-b-vaccines-in-uk/
- Published: 2026-11-12T14:16:18+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T14:34:25+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/nov/12/time-running-out-young-people-meningitis-b-vaccines-uk
- Topics: Elections, Health, Medicine, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Just 28.2% of eligible 18- and 19-year-olds have had a first dose.
- First doses must be given by 31 December.
- Experts urge stronger promotion and discuss reviewing the deadline.

## Summary

Fewer than one in three eligible young people have received a first dose of the meningitis B vaccine offered through a one-off UK campaign. Health experts say uptake is too low, with the first-dose deadline approaching and the winter peak in infections near; the campaign follows outbreaks in Kent, Dorset and Berkshire that led to three deaths and lasting health problems for some survivors.

The UK Health Security Agency says 28.2% of eligible 18- and 19-year-olds have had a first dose, and nearly 70% of those have also received their second. Two doses at least 28 days apart are needed: eligible young people must get their first by 31 December 2026, while second doses are available until 31 March 2027. Eligibility includes those born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, and under-25s starting university or residential further education for the first time this autumn; freshers face about seven times the risk of their non-university peers.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.