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The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has called for community pharmacies to be commissioned to provide an annual meningococcal B disease (MenB) vaccination campaign, after thousands of young people received jabs in the first two weeks of a pharmacy-led campaign.
In a statement published on 3 August 2026, NHS England said that pharmacies in England delivered 89,261 first doses of the vaccination between 20 July 2026 and 31 July 2026, as part of the service provided by community pharmacies to young people.
Baroness Merron, health and social care minister, thanked “all NHS staff and pharmacies up and down the country” for making the roll-out possible.
“By receiving both doses of the vaccine, young people are protecting themselves from this awful disease,” she added.
Janet Morrison, chief executive of Community Pharmacy England, commented: “People value the convenience and accessibility of the pharmacy network for all manner of healthcare services, and satisfaction with community pharmacy continues to grow.
“We’re pleased that pharmacies can now offer eligible young people this life-saving protection.”
Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA, said: “The number of young people coming forward to get vaccinated has grown impressively from a standing start.
“We have called on health officials to make the scheme, which was introduced as a one off, into an annual programme.”
Nick Thayer, head of policy at the Company Chemists’ Association, said: “Pharmacies have gotten off to a flying start delivering this vital MenB campaign, which is testament to the sector’s ability to step up and deliver, when called upon.”
He also urged more young people to book their vaccination ahead of the start of the new university term in the autumn.
The launch of the campaign follows an outbreak of meningitis among university students and young people in Kent in March 2026.
NHS England reported that more than 8,200 pharmacies are participating in the service, which received around 135,000 bookings during its first week (20–27 July 2026).
Pharmacies had reported “teething issues” with the roll-out of the service, including access to stock and booking appointments.
However, in its statement, NHS England said: “There are hundreds of thousands of MenB vaccination appointments available to patients and enough stock to vaccinate everyone eligible.”
Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said: “The government is right to encourage every eligible young person to come forward, but it must also recognise that the success of this programme depends on pharmacies having the support and resources they need to deliver it effectively. Ministers cannot ignore the problems experienced during the launch and simply pretend they did not happen.”
The campaign is open to 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 in autumn 2026; or people born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting in some residential further education colleges for the first time in autumn 2026.
