MenB vaccine to be offered to eligible young people this summer

Following recent outbreaks of meningitis in the UK, the Scottish Government has announced plans to offer a new programme of Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination for young people this summer.

This time-limited programme will be offered to some older teenagers and some new college and university students who are at higher risk of exposure to meningococcal group B bacteria.

The MenB vaccine will be offered to:

• young people born between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009, and any others who were in S6 during the 2025-26 academic year, regardless of future education plans
• undergraduate university entrants under the age of 25 who are starting for the first time in the academic year 2026-27, including international students
• college entrants under 25 starting for the first time in the academic year 2026-27 while living away from home in shared student accommodation, including international students.

The programme will start in July 2026 and two doses are essential for full protection.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) is working closely with Scottish Government, NHS boards and wider partners across Scotland to develop plans for the roll-out of the MenB vaccine, which will help to protect those who are at higher risk of infection from this life-threatening disease.

Although many young people will already have received the separate MenACWY vaccine, they may still be at risk of meningitis and sepsis caused by other meningococcal bacteria, including group B. That’s why it’s important to take up the offer of the MenB vaccine, which will provide increased protection against meningococcal disease.

Further information on the roll-out of the programme will be shared as soon as it becomes available. Please continue to check NHS inform for the latest updates.

Dr Daniel Chandler, Consultant in Public Health at PHS, said:

“Meningitis and meningococcal sepsis can be very serious and life threatening if not treated quickly. Immunisation is the most effective way of preventing illness from meningococcal disease.

“Public Health Scotland welcomes MenB vaccination being offered to young people who are at highest risk. We encourage all those who are eligible to take up the offer.”

Further information

More information about the MenB vaccination programme for young people can be found on NHS inform. This page will be updated regularly.

More information on signs and symptoms of meningitis is available on NHS inform.

Vaccines offer the best protection against meningococcal disease. For information on how to check your own or your child's vaccination history, please visit getting your vaccinations on NHS inform

All students, including those who have moved to Scotland from overseas, are encouraged to make sure they are up to date with vaccinations offered for free by NHS Scotland.

Visit to find out more about vaccinations for students.

PHS carefully monitors meningococcal disease in Scotland on an ongoing basis. Data on meningococcal disease in Scotland is available in our latest quarterly report.

Read our recent news story highlighting the publication of our Vaccination and Immunisation annual report for 2025, providing insights, analysis and intelligence from Scotland’s largest coordinated public health programme.  ​