More than 212,000 young people in England have received a first dose of the MenB vaccine, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Its first interim report on the one-off offer shows 212,549 of the 799,840 eligible year 13 students had been vaccinated by 20 September 2026, a coverage rate of 26.6% in the first nine weeks of the programme.
Key points
- Coverage so far — 26.6% of the eligible year 13 cohort had a first dose by 20 September 2026.
- Two doses needed — the doses must be given at least 28 days apart.
- Big regional gap — London has the lowest uptake at 21%, the South East the highest at 31.6%.
- Deprivation divide — coverage runs from 11.8% in the most deprived areas to 45% in the least deprived.
The report, which covers only those born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, found wide variation by geography, sex, deprivation and ethnicity. Young women were more likely to have had the first dose than young men, at 31.5% against 21.9%. By ethnic group, the highest coverage was among young people of Chinese ethnicity at 42.9%, followed by Asian or Asian British – Indian at 36.5% and Mixed – White and Asian at 34.8%.
UKHSA says freshers are especially at risk. Students in their first year of university face around seven times the risk of meningococcal disease compared with people of the same age who do not go to university. Three outbreaks this year, in Kent, Dorset and Berkshire, caused three deaths and left some survivors with life-long health consequences.
What officials say
Dr Sharif Ismail, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said the recent genomics study of the Kent outbreak showed how suddenly dangerous new strains can appear. "This means that similar outbreaks could occur again," he said, urging everyone eligible to get both doses. Caroline Temmink, NHS Director of Vaccination, said more than a quarter of a million young people had already been protected but that the NHS wants to reach more. Vaccination remains available at high street pharmacies, and appointments can be booked through the NHS website.
What it means in practice
If you are in the eligible group or a parent of someone who is, the practical step is simple: check whether the first dose has been given, and book the second. One dose is not enough, and the two must be at least 28 days apart.
- Students starting university should book both doses before or soon after arriving, as mixing patterns raise the risk sharply in the first year.
- Appointments can be made at high street pharmacies and booked via the NHS website.
- If you have had one dose, diarise the second — coverage figures suggest many people are stopping short of full protection.
