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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that “just 28.2% of 18 and 19 year olds” have had their first dose of the meningococcal B disease (MenB) vaccine, ahead of the end-of-year deadline.
In a statement published on 12 November 2026, the UKHSA revealed that as of 31 October 2026, 228,297 out of the 809,957 people who are eligible for the MenB vaccine had come forward so far, “meaning that 580,000 people in that age group had not accessed the service”.
In June 2026, NHS England commissioned community pharmacies in England to offer thousands of young people the two-dose MenB vaccine free of charge, as part of a one-off programme designed to protect people ahead of the 2026 academic year. The first doses were offered from July 2026, while the second doses were offered in August 2026.
The offer is open to anyone aged 18–19 years who were born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008. It is also available to anyone aged under 25 years who started university or other residential further education for the first time in autumn 2026.
In September 2026, NHS England data showed that community pharmacies had provided 246,089 doses of the MenB vaccine since the campaign began.
However, in its statement, the UKHSA said that it is now “concerned over the low numbers taking up the vaccine offer to protect themselves and is urgently calling on young people and their parents to book an appointment”.
Of those who had received their first dose, 68.8% (157,169 out of 228,297) went on to get their second dose, the statement added.
Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, told The Pharmaceutical Journal on 12 November 2026 that the UKHSA’s figures were “a real cause for concern”.
“Meningitis can strike suddenly, with devastating consequences, and we cannot afford to see more young lives put at risk,” she continued.
“Following the tragic outbreak in Kent earlier this year, we called for a national pharmacy-led vaccination programme, and we were pleased the government listened. Pharmacies across the country have stepped up to help protect young people, but too many are still missing out.”
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, commented: “We’re proud that once again pharmacies have been able to create a service reaching significant numbers of people in a few weeks from a standing start.
“The government must do much more to promote this vital service to help ensure as many as possible of those who are eligible benefit from protection against MenB. This should also include universities promoting this campaign strongly to those living in residential accommodation.
“To improve uptake further, we should make this an annual campaign rather than an ad-hoc, standalone event, engraining it as a key vaccine for young people to have.”
Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: ”The deadline for getting your first dose is 31 December [2026], so please don’t leave it until the end of term or forget it amongst all the Christmas and other holiday festivities.
“Parties and gatherings inevitably lead to increased mixing with others, which raises the risk of MenB spreading among young people. Book your appointment now.”
Read more: ‘Everything you need to know about meningitis B‘
