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Written question asked by Rosie Duffield (Independent (affiliation)) on Thursday, 23 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 April 2026 (named day). It was answered by Sharon Hodgson (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 April 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Meningitis: Vaccination

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment the Department has made of inequalities in access to meningococcal group B vaccination for teenagers and young adults who are not eligible for NHS-funded vaccination, including where vaccination is available only through private purchase.

Answer

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has asked the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation (JCVI) to re-examine eligibility for meningitis vaccines to assess, for example, an expanded offer to older children and/or young adults.

The JCVI will provide updated advice to the Department this summer around whether, and to what extent, a vaccine programme for older children and/or young adults would be clinically effective as well as an assessment of the cost effectiveness of such a vaccination programme.

The Department has not made an assessment about inequalities in access to meningococcal group B vaccination for teenagers and young adults who are not eligible for National Health Service funded vaccination, as private vaccinations are not within its remit.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
129504
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Meningitis Young people Vaccination
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk