Routine MenB vaccination recommended for 15-year-olds

In response to the unprecedented outbreak of MenB disease in Kent earlier this year, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is advising the Government to introduce routine MenB vaccination for 15-year-olds.

After reviewing recent evidence, the JCVI recommends:

• A routine offer of one dose of the 4CMenB vaccine at around 15 years of age for ‘primed adolescents’ (those born on or after 1 May 2015 who were eligible for MenB vaccination in infancy) from 2030.
• Adolescents born on or before 30 April 2015 (‘unprimed adolescents’) at around 15 years of age
• Adolescents who would be either too young to be offered MenB vaccination as part of the one-off 2026 offer (announced 12 June 2026), or too old to be offered vaccination through the 15-year-old programmes outlined above (this would be a catch-up programme)

While the cost-effectiveness of these additional programmes is uncertain, an offer of vaccination to the latter two groups is considered by JCVI to be highly important, providing a bridge from now until the start of a routine MenB programme for primed adolescents.

JCVI chair Professor Wei Shen Lim said: ‘Following the meningitis outbreaks in early 2026, a one-off programme for 2-doses of MenB vaccine is being offered to eligible young people this summer. We encourage everyone who is eligible to book an appointment online to receive the vaccine at a local pharmacy, in time for the second dose to be received before heading off to university or college. For protection, 2-doses of the MenB vaccine are necessary, at least 28 days apart.

‘Additionally, JCVI has now also provided the government with a recommendation and additional considerations for a future routine MenB adolescent vaccination programme for those aged around 15 years. DHSC will now consider this with a decision to be made in due course.

‘Invasive meningococcal disease is a rare but very serious illness, which can have a devastating impact on lives.’

JCVI has kept MenB vaccination under review since recommending a programme for infants in 2014 (the programme was introduced in 2015). The infant MenB vaccine is highly effective, providing strong protection lasting for at least 5 years from vaccination. This latest recommendation from JCVI for a routine MenB programme for adolescents aims to provide additional protection to individuals over the time when they might be at next highest risk from this rare but serious disease.