Meningitis B Vaccination Information

 The Practice provides the Meningitis B vaccination as part of the suite of baby immunisations

• Anyone born after 1 May 2015 who is up to date with all immunisations will be vaccinated
• Any child under 2 that has missed their vaccinations can contact the Practice and arrange to have their Meningitis B vaccine (and any other missed vaccines)
• If a patient wishes to have this vaccine and is not eligible for it within the baby immunisation programme, they will need to access it privately
• Patients may be able to access this through pharmacies, travel clinics and private GP practices (depending on stock availability)
• There is a shortage of supply of the vaccine at the moment, with some Boots stores reporting being fully booked
• Currently, there is no other information or communication about any change in the vaccinating programme in the geographical area of the Practice, should that change we will provide updates with relevant information

Further Information and resources

• NHS website: Meningitis 
• NHS website: Meningitis Vaccination 

Can meningitis be prevented?

Several vaccines offered free of charge by the NHS can help protect against certain causes of meningitis and septicaemia:

• MenB vaccine: For babies given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 1 year
• 6-in-1 vaccine: For babies given at 8, 12 and 16 weeks
• Pneumococcal vaccine: Two doses for babies given at 16 weeks and 1 year; single dose for adults aged 65+
• Hib/MenC vaccine: For babies given at 1 year (if born on or before 30 June 2024)
• MMR vaccine: For babies given at 1 year, with a second dose at 18 months
• MenACWY vaccine: For teenagers aged 13 to 14

The Men B vaccine does not protect against all MenB bacterium types. This is why we always raise awareness of signs and symptoms alongside the available vaccines.

Am I protected from MenB by childhood vaccines (MenACWY)?

The MenB vaccine was added to the NHS immunisation schedule for infants in 2015, providing protection for babies and young children in the UK. It is separate from the MenACWY.
If you are a teenager or young adult born before 1 May 2015, you will not have received the MenB vaccine as part of the NHS schedule.

What should I do if I’ve missed my meningitis vaccine?

To get the most benefit, it is important for you or your child to have your vaccines when they are offered or as close to that time as possible. Young children who have missed one or more dose of the MenB vaccine can have this free of charge before their second birthday and missed MMR or MMRV vaccine doses can be given at any age.

Teenagers can arrange to have vaccines they have missed. This is especially important before starting university or college. If that’s not possible, they should make arrangements with their new GP as soon as they can after term begins. All GP practices should be able to offer free missed MenACWY to students who are under 25 years as well as MMR vaccines to eligible students. International students in the same age group are also eligible for these routine vaccines.

If you were born before 1 May 2015, there is no NHS catch up programme for the MenB vaccine.

Can I have the MenB vaccine privately?

The MenB vaccine can be accessed privately through high street pharmacies, private GP providers and travel clinics. For those aged over 2 years, the vaccination course consists of 2 doses.

Published: Mar 18, 2026