Scotland offers free meningitis B vaccine to students and teenagers at higher risk

Young people in Scotland are being offered a free meningitis B vaccine through drop-in clinics set up by health boards around the country. The time-limited programme targets older teenagers and new college and university students who face higher risk of exposure to meningococcal group B bacteria.

MenB is a bacterial infection that can cause life-threatening meningitis and sepsis. It leads to life-changing disabilities including amputations, hearing loss and brain damage, and is fatal in around 10% of cases. The disease spreads through close contact such as kissing, sharing drinks or living in close quarters.

Anyone born between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009, those who were in S6 during the 2025-26 academic year, and undergraduate or college entrants under 25 starting for the first time in 2026-27 are eligible. Two doses, given four weeks apart, are essential for full protection and should ideally be completed before starting further or higher education.

The rollout follows an outbreak in Kent earlier this year that resulted in two student deaths.

Gilbert