UK health experts have recommended that all 15-year-olds be offered the meningococcal B vaccine, a change from previous advice. The recommendation follows the country's largest-ever MenB outbreak in Kent in March, which resulted in two deaths. The UK government will now consider the proposal. A MenB vaccine has been offered to babies since 2015, but adolescents are not currently part of the routine programme.
Kent MenB outbreak
- ▪Two people died in the March MenB outbreak in Kent
- ▪In March, a meningococcal B (MenB) outbreak in Kent, southeast England, was described by health authorities as the largest and fastest-growing ever seen in Britain
Vaccine recommendation change
- ▪The UK government will now consider the recommendation before making any changes to national vaccination programmes
- ▪The committee stated that vaccinating teenagers at 15 would provide protection during the years they are at higher risk from the disease
- ▪On July 16, 2026, an expert committee changed its previous advice, recommending all 15-year-olds in Britain be offered the meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine
- ▪The change in advice was based on updated evidence of vaccine effectiveness, uncertainties about future disease levels, recent outbreaks, and cost-effectiveness analysis
Existing infant vaccination programme
- ▪Since 2015, the UK has offered a vaccine against meningococcal B disease to babies
- ▪Adolescents in Britain are not routinely vaccinated against meningitis B
- ▪The expert committee described the MenB vaccine given to infants as "highly effective"
University student vaccination campaign
- ▪Meningococcal B disease tends to affect students disproportionately due to close and prolonged contact in halls of residence and at social events
- ▪In June, UK health authorities offered a one-off vaccination programme for 17- and 18-year-olds and under-25s starting university
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