The UK government will offer a special meningitis B vaccine to some young people. This is a one-time program to protect students after recent outbreaks caused three deaths.
The UK government has announced a special vaccination program. It will offer a meningitis B vaccine to certain young people.
This one-time offer is for teenagers in their final school year and young people under 25 starting university this autumn. The program will begin in late July.
This decision follows recent outbreaks of meningitis B in areas like Kent, Dorset, and Berkshire. Sadly, these outbreaks led to the deaths of three young people.
The vaccine, called Bexsero, will be given in two doses, about a month apart. It aims to protect against most types of meningitis B bacteria for at least six years.
Meningitis B can cause serious infections, sometimes leading to lasting health problems or even death. Young people, especially those in shared university housing, are at a higher risk.
