Don't miss your chance: MenB vaccine available for eligible young people

Following recent outbreaks of meningitis in the UK, the MenB vaccine is being offered to some older teenagers and students under 25 who are at higher risk of exposure to meningococcal group B bacteria.

This offer is only available for a short period of time. It is being offered to some older teenagers and some new college and university students who are at higher risk of exposure to meningococcal group B bacteria.

Meningococcal disease is a rare but dangerous bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and sepsis. Both of these illnesses can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. Meningococcal bacteria can spread through close contact with someone who has the bacteria in the back of their throat. This includes living in the same household, kissing, or sharing drinks or vapes with someone. Two doses of the MenB vaccine will help to protect you against the most common strains of meningococcal group B bacteria in the UK.

If you’re eligible for the MenB vaccine, don’t miss your chance to protect yourself against serious diseases like meningitis and sepsis.

You can get the MenB vaccine if you can answer yes to one of the following questions:

• were you born between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009?
• were you in S6 during the 2025-2026 academic year?
• are you under the age of 25 and starting your first undergraduate university course in the 2026-2027 academic year (including international students)?
• are you under the age of 25, starting your first college course in the 2026-2027 academic year, and living in shared student accommodation (including international students)?

NHS Western Isles Health Protection and Screening Nurse Specialist , Isabell Macinnes, said: “NHS Western Isles has already issued invitations to eligible school leavers and we would strongly encourage them to attend for their first dose.

“Walk-in appointments are available for young people starting university and college for the first time who will be living in shared accommodation away from home. These are advertised on social media and on our website: https://www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk/vaccination-clinics/“

She added: “The best way to protect yourself against meningococcal diseases is to get vaccinated. Our current clinics are for first doses. We are aiming to hold the second-dose clinics next month. There must be a minimum interval of 28 days between the first and second doses and anyone who leaves the Western Isles before our second-dose clinics can receive their second dose at another vaccination service in Scotland."

Full protection is not achieved until two weeks after the second dose, so it is important that everyone receives both vaccinations.

For more information and to find out if you or someone you know is eligible for the vaccine visit: nhsinform.scot/menb-youngpeople. If you need to make or change an appointment, call 01851 448 567.