Meningitis B Vaccination
Do I need the meningitis B vaccine?
Babies have been offered MenB on the NHS since September 2015 — which leaves a generation of older children, teenagers and young adults without cover against the strain that causes most meningococcal disease in the UK.
| Traveller | Who should consider it | Doses & schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Advised Children & teens who missed the 2015 NHS programme | Anyone born before mid-2015 mostly was not offered MenB as a baby. Teenagers carry and transmit meningococcal bacteria more than any other age group. | 2 doses, at least 1 month apart (from 2 years old). |
| Advised University students & school leavers | First-year students in halls are a classic risk group: close living, shared kitchens, new social mixing. Meningitis moves fast in that environment. | 2 doses, ideally completed before term starts. |
| Consider Anyone wanting fuller meningitis cover | The teenage school jab covers groups A, C, W and Y. MenB is the missing letter — and the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK. | 2 doses; can be planned alongside ACWY. |
| Not usually needed Infants covered by the NHS schedule | Children born since September 2015 who completed their baby jabs already have MenB cover. | Check the red book — no repeat needed. |
Not sure whether your child was covered? Bring the red book or GP record to your appointment — and see the travel clinic price list for current fees.
What is meningitis B?
Meningococcal group B (MenB) is one strain of the meningococcus bacterium, which causes meningitis — infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord — and septicaemia, or blood poisoning. It is rare, but it is fast: a child can go from feverish and off-colour to critically ill within hours, which is why prevention beats reaction.
MenB is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK. Around 1 in 10 people carry meningococcal bacteria harmlessly at the back of the throat, and carriage peaks in teenagers and young adults — the reason university halls, barracks and festivals feature in outbreak stories. Babies, toddlers and 15–24 year olds face the highest risk of actual disease.
The NHS added MenB to the infant schedule in September 2015, protecting babies born since — but there was no catch-up for older children, so everyone born earlier is largely unprotected against this strain. Unlike the “meningitis belt” strains covered by the ACWY vaccine, MenB risk is driven more by close living than by geography.
How the meningitis B vaccine works
Two doses build protection against the group B strain — the one the school ACWY jab does not cover.
| Who | Who should consider it | Doses & schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Children 2–10 years | For children who missed the NHS infant programme. | 2 doses, at least 1 month apart. |
| Teenagers & young adults | The priority group — ideally completed before starting university or moving into shared accommodation. | 2 doses, at least 1 month apart. |
| Under 2s | Covered by the NHS infant schedule through your GP. | Check the red book / GP record. |
A short-lived fever after MenB vaccination is common in younger children — we will advise on paracetamol timing at your appointment.
How our travel clinic works
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Choose a time that suits you — same-week appointments are usually available, and families can be seen together in one visit.
Personalised risk assessment
Your pharmacist reviews your itinerary, health history and previous vaccinations against current UK travel health guidance, and agrees a plan with you.
Two visits complete the course
The first dose is given at your appointment and we book the second for at least a month later — with a reminder so it does not slip.
Where does meningitis B matter?
MenB is about close contact more than geography — halls of residence, barracks, festivals, anywhere young people live at close quarters. For Africa’s meningitis belt and the Hajj certificate, the meningitis ACWY vaccine is the one requirements point to:
Frequently asked questions
My teenager had a meningitis jab at school — is this the same thing?
No. The school vaccine covers groups A, C, W and Y. Meningitis B is a separate strain needing a separate vaccine — and it causes the majority of meningococcal disease in the UK.
How is the meningitis B vaccine given?
Two injections at least a month apart, available from 2 years old at our clinic. Under-2s are covered through the NHS infant schedule.
Do university students really need it?
It is a sensible precaution. First-year students in halls have a genuinely elevated risk, meningococcal disease moves frighteningly fast, and most current school leavers were born before the 2015 NHS MenB programme began.
Does MenB satisfy the meningitis certificate for Hajj or Umrah?
No — Saudi Arabia requires an ACWY certificate. See our meningitis ACWY page for that requirement.
What are the warning signs of meningitis?
Fever with a severe headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright light, drowsiness or confusion, and — in septicaemia — a rash that does not fade under a glass. It is a medical emergency: act immediately, do not wait for every symptom to appear.
How long does protection last?
Protection is good for several years after the two-dose course, and no routine booster is currently recommended for healthy people. We will advise on the latest guidance in clinic.
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This guide follows UK national travel health guidance (TravelHealthPro / NHS) and was last reviewed in August 2026. Recommendations can change — your consultation always reflects the latest advice.
Off to university — or born before the 2015 cut-off?
Meningitis B vaccination at our Camberley clinic — cover against the strain the school jab leaves out.
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