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Written question asked by Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 June 2026. It was answered by Sharon Hodgson (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 June 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, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding eligibility for the MenB vaccination programme to students aged 26 and older.

Answer

On 12 June 2026, we announced a one-off, time-limited meningococcal group B (MenB) immunisation programme to protect those at highest immediate risk of MenB disease this autumn.

People currently in the Year 13 age group in England and Wales, those born from 1 September 2007 to 31 August 2008, will be eligible for vaccination, as well as people under 25 years of age attending higher education or living at some residential further education settings for the first time in the 2026/27 academic year.

Data on invasive meningococcal disease over the last five years has shown that after infancy, the highest number of cases 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 young people of a similar age who do not go to university.

The risk, and MenB incidence, declines rapidly in older age groups, which is why these age- based cohorts have been selected.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which provides expert independent advice on our vaccination programmes, is updating its assessment of the appropriate eligibility for routine MenB vaccination, which will be provided to ministers in due course. I will consider that advice before making any longer-term decisions regarding MenB vaccination.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
10228
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Meningitis Vaccination Students
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk