Click here for Meningitis B vaccine information (including the new free NHS Meningitis B vaccine)

Find information below for both the new Free NHS Meningitis B Vaccine and our Private Meningitis B Vaccines.

Free NHS Meningitis B Vaccine for Students 2026

The Department of Health & Social Care has announced that eligible young people will be able to receive the Meningitis B vaccine free of charge through the NHS at Pharmacies during July and August 2026.

Who is eligible for the free NHS Meningitis B vaccine?

The free NHS vaccination programme will be available to:

  • All Year 13 students born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008.
  • People under 25 years old who are starting university or residential further education for the first time.
  • International students under 25 years old who are entering their first year of university in the UK.

Important: Post-graduate students or students starting their second (or later) year are not eligible for the free NHS programme.
If you are not eligible for this free NHS service, you can still receive the vaccine privately with us (charges apply) – see below.

How many doses are needed?

The Meningitis B vaccine requires two doses, given at least 28 days apart.

For the best protection, both doses should ideally be completed before the start of the academic year in September 2026.

Can I book the free NHS vaccine now?

No. Booking for the free NHS vaccination programme is not yet open.

Please do not book a private vaccination appointment if you are intending to receive the vaccine through the NHS programme. Details on how to book this will come in due course.

Will I be contacted if I’m eligible?

Yes. Eligible individuals will be contacted directly by the NHS through one of the following methods:

  • NHS App
  • Text message
  • Email
  • Letter

The method used will depend on the contact details held by the health service.

When will the free NHS service start?

Current guidance from the Department of Health & Social Care and Community Pharmacy England indicates that the service is expected to begin towards the end of July 2026.

The exact launch date has not yet been confirmed. We will update this page as soon as further information becomes available.

Can I get vaccinated before the NHS programme starts?

Yes, you can get vaccinated through our private service. If you would prefer not to wait for the NHS programme or are not eligible for the free vaccine, you can still get private Meningitis B vaccinations with us. Private vaccination appointments can be booked below.

Please note: If you are eligible for a free vaccine but book and attend a vaccination appointment before the NHS programme launches, you will be booking a private vaccination and will be charged accordingly.

Private Meningitis B Vaccinations

Private Meningitis B vaccinations are available to book with us now.

Please note that our current online booking system is for private vaccinations only and is not for the free NHS service.

Our booking system is open for private Meningitis B vaccinations.

Appointments are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

The private Meningitis B vaccination is a two-dose course costing £125 per dose (£250 in total).

Our Pharmacy sites that are currently offering private Meningitis B vaccines, are:

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