Thousands of eligible students across the South West are receiving free MenB vaccinations through an NHS programme launched this summer. Health officials warn that first-year undergraduates face an increased risk of meningococcal disease as campuses reopen for the new academic term.
Rollout Targets Vulnerable Students Across the South West
Freshers arriving at universities across Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Bristol have received nearly 6,500 doses of the meningitis B vaccine as part of a targeted, time-limited NHS immunization drive. Across the wider region, uptake has reached nearly 6,500 doses administered across Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Bristol as part of a “one-off” NHS vaccination programme launched this summer.
Public health agencies attribute the heightened urgency to living arrangements that favor bacterial transmission. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that first-year university students are about seven times more at risk of meningococcal disease than other young people of the same age. Matthew Dominey from NHS England South West stated, MenB can be life-threatening, so it is vital that those eligible take up the offer of getting vaccinated.
MenB can be life-threatening, so it is vital that those eligible take up the offer of getting vaccinated.
Matthew Dominey, NHS England South West
Campus Clinics and Eligibility
The catch-up initiative also extends to campus locations. At halls of residence, dedicated drop-in immunization clinics have been scheduled, such as clinics running in Vine Court (upstairs, above reception) and Greenbank (lounge, bottom of reception) halls of residence on Wednesday, 30 September, from 9.30am to 5pm. Students are eligible for a free NHS MenB vaccine if you were born on or after 21 July 2001 and you are starting university for the first time as an undergraduate in autumn 2026, which includes eligible international students. Alternatively, you are also eligible to book a MenB vaccination appointment if you were born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 or you were born on or after 21 July 2001 and, for the first time this autumn, are starting university or starting as a residential student at an eligible further education college.
The Meningitis B vaccination course consists of two doses, given at least four weeks apart. To prove eligibility at campus clinics, students are advised to bring a University ID badge which shows their year of entry, or other university documentation.
A Response to Severe Outbreaks and Tragically Fatal Cases
First-year university students across the UK are being offered meningitis B (MenB) vaccinations from the NHS after a deadly outbreak earlier this year. More than 20 students in Kent were confirmed to have contracted MenB in March 2026, which resulted in two deaths. A student at Liverpool John Moores University, Aaron Mills, also passed away in January 2026 after contracting MenB.
I think first year students should be getting vaccinated for meningitis, because as a first year, you’ve just moved into a new city, you meet new people, and it’s a completely different environment. And importantly as well, it’s completely free so you don’t have to pay anything for it.
Hassan Hammad, President of the John Moores Student Union
Personal Experiences and Medical Guidance
Survivors emphasize the severity of the infection. Tiff O’Connor, from South Gloucestershire, was 20-years-old when she contracted meningitis during her first year at university in Bristol, eight years ago. She said it happened “quite suddenly” and she got really poorly very, very quickly.
Describing the symptoms, she said, My head was a pain that I'd never experienced before. I truly thought it was going to melt out of my ears, it was so painful.
Despite being put on a course of antibiotics by her doctor for suspected tonsillitis, her cat helped raise the alarm by screaming and miaowing loudly at her mum, leading her into the bedroom where her mum found her convulsing in bed. Rushed to intensive care, she was put into a medically induced coma, covered in ice to try and cool her temperature down, and her family were told to gather around and say goodbye.
Dr Fiona Lemmens, Executive Clinical Director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, stated: Getting vaccinated and knowing how to access NHS services are simple steps that can help you stay healthy and get the most from your university experience.
She added: While meningococcal B disease is uncommon, it can become very serious very quickly. Living in halls of residence and spending time in close contact with lots of new people can increase the risk of infection.