Urgent MenB vaccination for young people

What meningococcal disease is

Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious bacterial infection that requires urgent hospital treatment.  It can present as meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) or septicaemia (blood poisoning). 

They can lead to life-changing disabilities such as:

• amputations
• hearing loss
• brain damage
• skin scarring

It is fatal in around 10 per cent of cases. 

It is caused by Neisseria meningitidis, also known as the meningococcus bacterium, which is divided into several groups - including groups A, B, C, W, and Y. 

The MenB vaccine helps to protect against most strains of group B, which is now the most common cause of meningococcal disease in the UK. 

Why vaccinate

Data on invasive meningococcal disease over the last five years has shown the highest number of cases, after infancy, are seen in 18 to 19-year-olds.

Students in their first year of university have a risk that is about seven times higher than that of young people of a similar age who do not go to university.

Students attending university or residential further education institutions are at increased risk, particularly in the first year and when living in shared accommodation. 

Being around lots of new people in shared living spaces makes it easier for the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease to spread, and starting university or further education can increase this risk.

Therefore, it is important that anyone eligible who is going to university or a residential further education institution for the first time receives both doses of the MenB vaccine, wherever possible, before they leave home to start their course. 

Getting vaccinated before the autumn term is one of the most important things young people can do to protect themselves.

Vaccines for meningococcal disease

Cases of meningococcal disease due to other groups of the bacteria are now rare in the UK, thanks to effective vaccination. 

Teenagers in the UK are offered the MenACWY vaccine at school in year 11 or 12. 

This vaccine protects against groups A, C, W and Y, but does not protect against MenB. 

If you think you have missed out on the MenACWY vaccine you can check with your GP. Young people can receive this vaccine until they turn 25 years old.

MenB vaccines

There are two vaccines approved for use in the UK:

• Bexsero
• Trumenba

Both vaccines have a good safety record and produce a good immune response to the meningococcal group B bacteria.

The vaccine used in this programme will be Bexsero. 

This vaccine helps protect against most strains of Neisseria meningitidis group B (MenB) bacteria. 

It contains four different proteins chosen to provide as broad protection as possible. 

It has been given to millions of babies in the UK routine childhood immunisation programme since 2015 and has led to a 75 per cent reduction in MenB disease in vaccinated age groups. 

Who is eligible for the MenB vaccine

The MenB vaccine is available to:

• young people, with a date of birth between 2 July 2007 and 1 July 2008, whether or not they intend to start further or higher education
• young people born on or after 21 July 2001, including international students and those from the UK devolved administrations and Crown Dependencies, who: 
  • are due to start undergraduate higher education in autumn 2026
  • will be living in further education or halls of residence for the first time in autumn 2026 

You do not need to get the vaccine if you:

• are turning 25 before 21 July 2026
• are a postgraduate student
• are not entering higher education such as university or a residential further education institution for the first time in the UK or Ireland in autumn 2026
• have already completed a two-dose course of Bexsero within the last five years
• have already completed a two-dose course of Trumenba within the last five years with the doses given at least six months apart
• have already completed a three-dose course of Trumenba within the last five years 
• this may include vaccination through a private vaccination service or sexual health clinic

Doses of MenB vaccine needed

It is essential to receive two doses of the vaccine. 

A second dose is needed at least four weeks after the first dose to provide protection against meningococcal group B.  

The vaccines are given by injection, usually in the upper arm. 

After your first dose you will receive a MenB record card. Remember to bring it to your second appointment and retain this for your records. 

How to get the vaccine

Vaccination for MenB will be available from 31 July 2026 in Northern Ireland. 

If you are eligible, you can get the vaccine from your GP practice, or from a participating community pharmacy. 

If you are eligible based on your age, your GP practice may invite you for vaccination. 

Participating community pharmacies are broadly situated close to higher education settings. 

It is important that you bring proof of eligibility for vaccination. This can be a form of identification which includes your date of birth. 

To demonstrate proof of eligibility if you are attending university or residential further education for the first time, you must produce evidence, such as:

• an official email confirmation of an offer of a place at your chosen university of college from either the institution directly, the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) for universities in the UK, or the Central Applications Office (CAO) for universities in the Republic of Ireland 
• a letter (paper copy or email) confirming that you have received an offer of a place for the 2026/2027 academic year at your chosen university or college
• screenshot of your offer of a place at your chosen university or college from the UCAS Hub or the official CAO website

Evidence should include:

• the name of the university of college that you are due to attend
• the course code and/ or title of the course of study
•  confirmation of the offer of a place (either conditional or unconditional)

Community pharmacies offering the vaccine

The following community pharmacies are offering the MenB vaccination.

Belfast area

Bestway Belfast Chemists Ltd (Well Phanmacy
332 Donegall Road
Belfast
BT126 FX
Telephone: 028 9032 6739

Boots UK Ltd
Unit 7 Park Centre
Donegall Road
Belfast
BT12 6HN
Telephone: 028 9032 5466

Boots UK Ltd
35/47 Donegall Place
Belfast
BT1 5AW
Telephone: 028 9024 2332

Brolly Healthcare Ltd (Urban Pharmacy)
56 Dublin Road
Belfast
BT2 7HN
Telephone: 028 9024 6336

Clear Pharmacy (Shankill Health Centre Pharmacy)
71 Shankill Road
Belfast
BT13 1DY
Telephone: 028 9032 3303

Fullarton Pharmacy Ltd
Unit 6 St George's Market
Oxford Street
Belfast
BT1 3 NQ
Telephone: 028 9023 3101

Harrison Healthcare Ltd
40E Donegall Pass
Belfast
BT17 1BS
Telephone: 028 9032 0059

J and F Magee Ltd
Units 1 and 2 Blackstaff Stop
111/129 Springfield Road
Belfast
BT12 7AD
Telephone: 028 9032 0796

Larne Chemists
62 Stranmillis Road
Belfast
BT9 5AD
Telephone: 028 9066 6477

Larne Chemists Ltd (Village Pharmacy)
671A Shore Road
Whiteabbey
Newtownabbey
Co. Antrim
BT37 0ST
Telephone: 028 9086 3216

McKenzie Rice Ltd (McKenzie's Pharmacy)
142 North Queen Street
Belfast
BT15 1 HQ
Telephone: 028 9074 6109

McKenzie Rice Ltd (McKenzie's Pharmacy)
479 Falls Road
Belfast
BT12 6DE
Telephone: 028 9032 2152

Ormeau Park Pharmacy
279 Ormeau Road
Belfast
BT17 3GG
Telephone: 028 9049 1981

P A McKeever Ltd
34 Springfield Road
Belfast
BT12 7AG
Telephone: 028 9032 2533

R McMullan Ltd (Clear Pharmacy)
171 Lisburn Road
Belfast
BT9 7AJ
Telephone: 028 9038 1882

Solas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
59 High Street
Belfast
BT1 2AB
Telephone: 028 9023 1002

Stranmillis Healthcare Ltd (Lockview Pharmacy)
7-9A Lockview Road
Belfast
BT9 5FH
Telephone: 028 9066 0555

T A Maguire Ltd
3 Beechmount Avenue
Belfast
BT12 7NA
Telephone: 02890320590

Coleraine and Portstewart area

Boots UK Ltd
26-28 Church Street
Coleraine
BT521AR
Telephone: 028 7035 6666

Boots UK Ltd
83 The Promenade
Portstewart
Co. Antrim
BT55 7AG
Telephone: 028 7083 2646

Clear Pharmacy
5 Waterside
Coleraine
BT51 3DP
Telephone: 028 7034 3177

Larne Chemists Ltd (Henderson's Pharmacy)
5 Bushmills Road
Coleraine
BT52 2BN
Telephone: 028 7035 5125

Liam Bradley Ltd
58 The Promenade
Portstewart
BT55 7AF
Telephone: 028 7083 2014

North Coast Healthcare Ltd
1 Castlerock Road
Coleraine
BT51 3HP
Telephone: 028 7034 2557

Derry/ Londonderry area

Boots UK Ltd
Unit L7-9 Foyleside Shopping Centre
Londonderry
BT48 6XY
Telephone: 028 7126 0432

Clear Pharmacy (Duffy's Chemist)
22 Rosemount Avenue
Londonderry
BT48 0HN
Telephone: 028 7126 3668

Liam Bradley Ltd
157 Strand Road
Londonderry
BT48 7PR
Telephone: 028 7126 2015

N and R Gordon Ltd (Gordons Chemists)
3A-3B Strand Road
Londonderry
BT48 7BH
Telephone: 028 7126 4502

Side effects of the vaccine

It's common to experience some swelling, redness or tenderness at the injection site, along with mild fever, nausea, headache or muscle aches. These usually pass within a day or two. 

Over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol will help manage these symptoms. 

More serious side effects are rare. 

If you experience any suspected side effects to the vaccine, you can report these on the Yellow Card website, by calling 0800 731 6789 from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday or by downloading the Yellow Card app.

Protection against meningitis and septicaemia

Meningitis and septicaemia are rare but severe diseases that can kill or leave people with life changing disabilities and health problems. 

The vaccine protects against most strains of MenB bacteria but there are other causes of meningitis and septicaemia so you should still be aware of the signs and symptoms and should seek urgent medical advice if you or someone else has these symptoms. 

Look out for your friends if they are feeling unwell.

Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia

Seek urgent medical help if you or someone else develops:

• a high temperature over 37.5°C (99.5°F)
• being sick
• a headache
• a blotchy rash that doesn't fade when a glass is rolled over it 
• a stiff neck
• a dislike of bright lights
• drowsiness or unresponsiveness
• seizures (fits)

A rash may appear, but not everyone gets one. 

If a rash does not fade when pressed with a glass, this can be a sign of meningitis or septicaemia. 

Do not wait for a rash to appear and get medical help urgently.

For more information go to:

• Meningitis Glass Test
• Meningitis and sepsis symptoms

For more advice:

• contact your GP practice or pharmacist
• speak to your university or college health service
• HSC Public Health Agency

More useful links

• Student life
• Men ACWY vaccination for teenagers and students
• Immunisation for teenagers between 14 and 18 years old
• Meningitis Research Foundation