Thousands of young people across the UK will be offered a free meningitis B (MenB) vaccine this summer following a series of deadly outbreaks that claimed the lives of three young people earlier this year.
The move is aimed at protecting students before they begin university and other residential education programmes in the autumn.
READ RELATED STORY
Chickenpox vaccine now available for young children in UK
The government announced that teenagers in their final year of secondary school, as well as first-time university students under the age of 25, will be eligible for the vaccine. The programme is expected to begin in late July and will provide two doses of the MenB vaccine, given at least four weeks apart.
The decision follows a major meningitis B outbreak in Kent and additional clusters of cases in Dorset, Berkshire and other areas. Health officials say the recent outbreaks were larger than expected and raised concerns about the spread of the disease among young people.
Meningitis B is a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis, an infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord, as well as blood poisoning. Although the bacteria are often carried harmlessly in the nose and throat, they can sometimes lead to severe illness and even death.
Health experts warn that young adults are particularly vulnerable, especially when they move into shared accommodation and mix with large groups of people.
Health Secretary James Murray urged eligible students to take advantage of the programme, saying the vaccine would help reduce the risk of illness and potential outbreaks as the new academic year begins. The NHS plans to contact eligible individuals through the NHS App, text messages, emails and letters, while university entrants will also be able to book appointments through participating pharmacies.
The MenB vaccine has been routinely offered to babies in the UK since 2015, but it has not been part of the standard vaccination programme for teenagers. As a result, many families have had to pay privately for the vaccine. Health campaigners have welcomed the government’s latest decision and are calling for wider access to the vaccine in the future.
Officials estimate that about one million young people could benefit from the one-off vaccination programme, which is designed to protect those considered most at risk before they begin a new stage of their education.
For more details, visit New Dailyprime
