I refer the Hon. Member to the GOV.UK news story on this issue which was published on 16 July and is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-publishes-new-recommendation-to-government-on-adolescent-menb-vaccination

Any further updates will be announced in the normal way in due course.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) plays a key role in tackling group B streptococcus (GBS) and other neonatal infections. Through national surveillance systems, the agency monitors the trends, characteristics, and outcomes of GBS infection, to assess risk factors and support prevention. Other severe neonatal infections are also routinely monitored and reported, and in all cases, key data is shared with relevant stakeholder groups.

Practitioners are expected to take a risk-based approach to screening, diagnosis, and treatment of GBS. Under current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, pregnant women who are known to carry GBS, or who have risk factors, should be offered antibiotics during labour to help prevent early-onset infection in their baby. NHS maternity services provide information and advice to expectant parents on the signs and symptoms of infection in pregnancy and newborn babies, including about GBS, associated risk factors, and when to seek urgent medical attention for themselves or their baby.

NHS England works closely in this area with the Group B Strep Society and the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, including supporting their work to provide resources for health care practitioners. NHS England is also leading the national rollout of early warning systems across maternity services, designed to improve early detection and management of unwell babies, and support their long-term health and wellbeing.

On 12 June 2026, a one-off vaccination programme was launched to help to protect those at highest immediate risk while the Government monitors and assesses new evidence to determine whether there has been a change in the way MenB affects people and whether any further vaccine rollout response is required. Eligible students are being offered a two-dose vaccination before they start university, where close and prolonged contact in halls and at social events can increase the risk of contracting MenB disease. Two doses of the vaccine are essential for protection.

On the wider question of eligibility for vaccination, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 15 June in response to Question 7283.

Vaccinations will primarily be offered in community pharmacies, providing flexibility for the mobile student population who may move to a new area between doses.

To support access in all areas, NHS England regional teams will also be supported to commission appropriate supplementary providers in their area where needed to ensure that everyone who is eligible can get vaccinated.

The first dose will be available until 31 December 2026 and the second dose until 31 March 2027. The appointment window remains open beyond summer to allow for as many of those eligible as possible to get vaccinated, but the strong recommendation is to have the vaccine in July and August.

In developing vaccination policy, the Department has due regard to its duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty. Consideration of equality and health inequalities impacts are undertaken as part of the development, implementation, and review of vaccination programmes. In developing the policy on this urgent meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination programme, the Department had due regard to its duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

The operational delivery of vaccinations is led by NHS England, including the providers commissioned to deliver the vaccination programme. An Equality Health Impact Assessment is being developed by NHS England to support in the identification and mitigation of inequalities in access and outcomes as relates to the rollout of this MenB programme.

Getting two doses of the meningitis B vaccine before the autumn term is one of the most important things young people can do to protect themselves from meningitis B disease.

The UK Health Security Agency has produced a wide range of materials to inform young people of the offer and to support informed consent. We are working closely with cross-Government colleagues and partners, including those in the university and further education sectors, and with stakeholders to ensure that information on eligibility and access to vaccination in each of the four nations is available to all eligible young people, including those living in rural areas, ahead of the autumn term. Information will be shared via direct communications, social media platforms, and other routes.

NHS England will continually monitor community pharmacy sign up and will work with regional teams to consider supplementary offers where geographical gaps are identified.

The Government supports countries across Africa through its investments in multilateral health partners, helping to strengthen health systems and deliver HIV prevention, testing and treatment services, including for opportunistic infections such as cryptococcal meningitis. Through the Global Fund, the Government has supported the introduction and expansion of cryptococcal meningitis treatment in countries where it was previously unavailable or severely constrained.

The Government supports countries across Africa through its investments in multilateral health partners, helping to strengthen health systems and deliver HIV prevention, testing and treatment services, including for opportunistic infections such as cryptococcal meningitis. Through the Global Fund, the Government has supported the introduction and expansion of cryptococcal meningitis treatment in countries where it was previously unavailable or severely constrained.

On 12 June 2026, I 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 aim of this one-off programme is to protect those at greatest immediate risk from MenB, 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.

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.

As the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care told the House on 17 March in the context of the meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has been asked 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.

Immunocompromised individuals at highest risk of invasive meningococcal disease, i.e. individuals with asplenia, splenic dysfunction or complement disorders, are already eligible for MenB and MenACWY vaccination. Details of this can be found within ‘box 7.1 Practical schedule for immunising individuals with asplenia, splenic dysfunction or complement disorders’ of the Green Book chapter ‘Immunisation of individual with underlying medical conditions’, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immunisation-of-individuals-with-underlying-medical-conditions-the-green-book-chapter-7

The JCVI gives advice to ministers based on the best evidence, reflecting current good practice and/or expert opinion. This involves a robust, transparent, and systematic appraisal of the available evidence from a wide range of sources. The JCVI aims to work with key stakeholders while maintaining the independence of committee processes and considerations.

As the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care told the House on 17 March in the context of the meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent, the Joint Committee on Vaccinations (JCVI) has been asked 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. This will also include an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of such a vaccination programme. The JCVI is required to consider the cost-effectiveness of a vaccination programme as part of their Code of Practice, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation#code-of-practice-and-conflicts-of-interests.

The JCVI gives advice to ministers based on the best evidence, reflecting current good practice and/or expert opinion. This involves a robust, transparent, and systematic appraisal of the available evidence from a wide range of sources. The JCVI aims to work with key stakeholders while maintaining the independence of committee processes and considerations.

The context of the recent meningococcal outbreak in Kent will be important to consider in any updated modelling which is considered by the JCVI going forward.

The Government is committed to stabilising and improving the uptake and access of vaccines, including those that protect against meningitis, across all immunisation programmes. This includes expanding routes to access, such as community pharmacies, as set out in the NHS Vaccination Strategy and the 10-Year Health Plan for England.

General practices (GPs) continue to prioritise the timely delivery of the meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination programme to all eligible children. The school-aged immunisation services are commissioned to deliver a 100% offer of the meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine to eligible children. GPs also offer the MenACWY vaccine to those who missed the school-aged offer up to the age of 25.

As part of the vaccination strategy, digital improvements are in place to support the offer of these vaccinations and the data flows to ensure accurate reporting. The roll out of Manage Vaccination In Schools (MAVIS) by NHS England is supporting the offer of vaccines, including MenACWY, to school-aged children by providing a digital platform to improve the consent gaining process, data capture and flow and which sends automated reminders to parents.

We are working to improve vaccine uptake by strengthening training and support to healthcare professionals who have a central role in communicating accurate information about vaccination to parents and teenagers to support informed consent. In addition, national communication campaigns use paid-for marketing, partnerships with charities and influencers, and local stakeholder engagement to raise awareness, address misconceptions and counter misinformation.

As my Rt. Hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, told the House on 17 March in the context of the meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has been asked 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. This will also include an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of such a vaccination programme. The JCVI is required to consider the cost-effectiveness of a vaccination programme as part of their code of practice, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation#code-of-practice-and-conflicts-of-interests

The JCVI gives advice to ministers based on the best evidence, reflecting current good practice and/or expert opinion. This involves a robust, transparent, and systematic appraisal of the available evidence from a wide range of sources. The JCVI aims to work with key stakeholders while maintaining the independence of committee processes and considerations.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) works closely with the Department, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and manufacturers to ensure the timely supply of effective vaccines. Strong working relationships and partnerships with vaccine manufacturers enable UKHSA to act quickly and efficiently to ensure sufficient stocks of product. The current supplier has an approved and licensed vaccine to meet the United Kingdom’s current routine immunisation programme needs and any additional needs resulting from recent outbreaks.

UKHSA is now actively undertaking a procurement process for meningococcal B vaccines into the future. We engage with the wider market to encourage further competition where feasible and undertake horizon scanning activities to review data for approved products and track any promising products in development.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is engaged in procurement activity to maintain sufficient stockpiles of meningococcal B vaccines to support the United Kingdom’s future routine immunisation programmes. This procurement process is in its final stages and is expected to conclude in the coming weeks. If a contract is awarded, a notice will be published in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.

UKHSA has an existing contract for meningococcal B vaccines, with sufficient stock available to maintain the current immunisation programme and to meet any additional needs resulting from recent outbreaks.

As my rt. Hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, told the House on 17 March 2026 in the context of the meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent, the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) has been asked 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. This will also include an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of such a vaccination programme. The JCVI is required to consider the cost-effectiveness of a vaccination programme as part of their Code of Practice, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation#code-of-practice-and-conflicts-of-interests.

The JCVI gives advice to Ministers based on the best evidence, reflecting current good practice and/or expert opinion. This involves a robust, transparent, and systematic appraisal of the available evidence from a wide range of sources. The JCVI aims to work with key stakeholders while maintaining the independence of committee processes and considerations.

The context of the recent meningococcal outbreak in Kent will be important to consider in any updated modelling which is considered by the JCVI going forward.

Q8

.

Alison Griffiths (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) (Con):

At 19, I was in a coma after contracting bacterial meningitis. I lost 70% of my hearing and needed open-heart surgery. The menB vaccine has saved lives since its introduction in 2015 for infants, but there remains a gap for the high-risk adolescents who were not vaccinated under the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation guidance. Following the devastating outbreaks within this cohort in Reading, Canterbury and Weymouth, the JCVI is finally reviewing the evidence base. Can the Prime Minister tell the House what the Government’s next steps will be and when they will happen? Will he make tackling meningitis a priority for his new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and arrange a meeting with Meningitis Now and me?