Teenagers from 15 should be given free meningitis B vaccine, say experts

All teenagers should be offered a free vaccine against meningitis B (MenB) at around the age of 15, UK experts are now recommending – a change to previous advice.

It follows concerns over the UK’s largest and fastest growing outbreak that happened in Kent earlier this year.

As a precaution, a one-off vaccination campaign is already being launched around the UK this summer for young people heading off to university for the first time, among some others.

Advisers are asking the government to consider introducing MenB jabs routinely for secondary school-aged people to better protect them against a disease that can be deadly.

It will be up to ministers in each nation of the UK to decide whether the financial cost of providing this via the NHS is worth it and, if so, how to offer it.

People getting the jab would not have to pay.

Prof Wei Shen Lim, who is chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advisory group, said: “Invasive meningococcal disease is a rare but very serious illness, which can have a devastating impact on lives.

“JCVI has worked closely with meningitis charities and would like to thank all those who responded, including on behalf of loved ones who sadly died or had life-changing complications. Their lived experiences were carefully considered.”

Two doses are needed for the fullest protection. Since the outbreak in Kent, where there two deaths, some parents have been buying the vaccine privately for their teenage children.

MenB infection can cause serious, life-threatening problems including inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis) and blood poisoning (sepsis).

It can lead to life-changing disabilities such as amputations, hearing loss and brain damage, and in some cases can be fatal.

Vaccination can save lives.

All babies are already offered the MenB vaccine because they are more likely to get invasive infections more often than other age groups, and their bodies are less likely to be able to fight them off.

It was added to the UK NHS childhood immunisation programme for babies born on or after 1 July 2015.

But it means teenagers and young adults over the age of 11 have not received this jab.

The JCVI says these teens should get two doses when they are 15, since the infection can be spread through close contact – for example through kissing or sharing vapes and drinks.

The JCVI says this recommendation is based on “recent new evidence” and reverses its previous advice that said it was not necessary or cost effective.

If the advice is accepted, anyone who had the jab as a baby would only need a top up single dose as a teen, rather than two.

This summer, around the UK, pharmacies are offering free MenB jabs to young people who are about to go to university. This one-off campaign is to help protect those at greatest risk and hopefully prevent something like the Kent outbreak from happening again.

Meningitis infections can be spread through close contact – for example through kissing, sharing vapes and drinks or living in close quarters with a person with the bug.