Thousands of Northern Ireland students to be offered MenB vaccine after UK disease cases

Thousands of teenagers and young adults across Northern Ireland are set to be offered protection against a potentially life-threatening disease this summer, after the Health Minister announced a new vaccination programme targeting those considered most at risk of Meningococcal B (MenB).

The one-off programme, expected to begin between mid and late July, follows multiple cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) identified in South East England earlier this year and aims to ensure vulnerable young people are protected before starting university or residential further education this autumn.

The vaccination offers protection against serious illnesses including meningitis, sepsis and invasive meningococcal disease, conditions that can develop rapidly and have devastating consequences.

Who will be eligible for the vaccine?

The targeted programme will focus on groups considered to be at the highest risk of MenB infection.

Those eligible include:

• All young people currently in Year 14 at school

• Anyone currently aged 17–18 with a date of birth between 2 July 2007 and 1 July 2008

• Anyone aged up to 25 who will be attending higher education or a residential further education institution for the first time in autumn 2026, including international students

Everyone born between 2 July 2007 and 1 July 2008 will receive an invitation for vaccination, while eligible university and residential college students up to the age of 25 will be encouraged to come forward and seek vaccination.

Further details on how the programme will operate are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Minister urges young people to take up the offer

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the programme would help protect young people from a disease capable of causing severe illness and long-term health complications.

He said:

“MenB is a serious illness and can cause serious health implications amongst young people. The vaccination offers good protection and will help prevent serious harm among those who are most vulnerable.

“I strongly recommend those young people who are eligible to take up the offer of a vaccination, particularly those planning to go to Higher Education or a Residential Further Education Institution for the first time this autumn.

“I also would ask that parents and guardians speak with their teenagers and young adults to encourage them to take up the offer of a vaccination to help protect them from MenB.”

The Minister added that the programme is being timed to ensure those most at risk have the opportunity to be fully vaccinated before moving into shared accommodation and student living environments, where infectious diseases can spread more easily.

Public health leaders warn of serious consequences

Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, said recent outbreaks elsewhere in the UK demonstrated how serious the disease can be.

He warned:

“As we have seen in recent outbreaks elsewhere in the UK, MenB can have a devastating and disruptive impact.

“Immunisation is one of the most effective ways of preventing illness from infectious disease. This vaccination programme will have significant public health benefits for young people who receive the vaccine, and the wider population.

“Put simply, if you are not vaccinated, you are not protected.”

Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the Public Health Agency, said preparations are already underway to deliver the programme during the summer months.

She encouraged everyone who qualifies for the vaccine to take advantage of the opportunity to protect themselves against the disease.

Why the programme matters

Meningococcal B infection can lead to meningitis and septicaemia, both of which can become life-threatening within hours if left untreated.

Young people entering university or residential education settings are considered particularly vulnerable because of increased social mixing and close living arrangements, which can help infections spread more quickly.

The new vaccination programme is designed to reduce that risk ahead of the new academic year and forms part of a coordinated UK-wide response following concerns raised by recent cases in England.

More information on how eligible young people can access the vaccine is expected before the programme launches later this summer.