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Community pharmacies gave almost one-quarter of a million meningococcal B disease (MenB) vaccinations to young people in England between 20 July 2026 and 31 August 2026, latest NHS England figures show.
The data, published on 3 September 2026, revealed that 246,089 doses of the MenB vaccine have been delivered to young people since the NHS campaign began.
The vaccination campaign is aimed to protect young people against MenB before the start of the new academic year, following an outbreak among students in Kent in March 2026.
In June 2026, community pharmacies were commissioned to deliver a two-dose MenB vaccination course to young people aged 17 or 18 years who were born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008.
Under the campaign, community pharmacies also offer vaccines to all undergraduate first-year students born on or after 21 July 2001 attending university for the first time in autumn 2026 and those born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting further education for the first time in autumn 2026 and who will be living in further education accommodation.
MenB can be spread by close contact, including kissing, sharing drinks or vapes, or living in the same home. The results of a study, published in Vaccine in 2017, suggest that students in their first year of university have a risk that is about seven times higher than that of young people of a similar age who do not go to university.
Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, said: “It’s fantastic that nearly a quarter of a million young people have already had their first dose of protection thanks to the support of thousands of community pharmacies, but freshers weeks and moving into halls and student houses can significantly increase the risk of exposure to MenB infection, so it’s vital to get fully shielded and book a second jab in the coming weeks.”
She also urged eligible young people to book their vaccinations “as soon as possible”, adding that “high street pharmacies up and down the country are making it easy and convenient to get jabbed”.
Two doses of the MenB vaccine are needed for protection at least 28 days apart. Anyone who is eligible can now book online via the NHS National Booking Service for appointments at community pharmacies or contact a participating pharmacy to book an appointment.
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, commented: “Pharmacies are proud to have delivered vaccinations to nearly 250,000 young people in just a matter of weeks.
“As outbreaks earlier this year have shown, MenB can be a very serious illness, and it’s important that any student about to embark on university for the first time comes forward to their local pharmacy for protection.
“This data shows there’s a clear demand from young people to be vaccinated against MenB, and we are calling on the NHS to commit to making this an annual campaign.
“Uptake for vaccines has dropped in recent years, particularly for adolescents, so the NHS should use pharmacies in more vaccination campaigns to help protect more people against preventable illness.”
