Meningitus B Vaccine

National Programme Overview and Policy Context

Following unprecedented MenB outbreak in Kent and clusters in Weymouth and Reading, a new one-off and time-limited offer of MenB vaccination will be available for those considered at highest risk.

The aim is to vaccinate individuals before the start of the 2026/27 academic year and the peak season for MenB in autumn 2026:

Those entering university as undergraduates for the first time and who are under the age of 25 are considered at highest risk from MenB disease.
Community pharmacies (CP) will be commissioned to deliver this one-off programme
It is important to start offering vaccination as soon as is practically possible as 2 doses of the Bexsero (4CMenB) vaccine are required for protection
The Bexsero vaccine provides good individual protection against most, but not all strains of MenB bacteria causing disease in the UK.
The vaccine does not help to reduce spread to the wider population and awareness of signs and symptoms remains important

Delivery Model and Operational Planning

Community Pharmacies have been commissioned to deliver this programme

The Community Pharmacies must:

Be providing at least one NHS commissioned vaccination service and one service that involves the assessment or treatment of children (eg. NHS Pharmacy First Service)
Register by 23:59 on 20 July 2026
Ensure the service is accessible, appropriate and sensitive to the needs of all service users
Offer MenB vaccination appointments through National Booking System (NBS), offering at least 100 appointments per month from Service Commencement Date (20 July 2026)
Offer appointments throughout the pharmacy’s full opening hours, including late afternoons and Saturdays, where applicable
Must confirm each patient’s eligibility prior to the administration of a vaccine
The 4CMenB vaccine is centrally supplied and ordered via FDP
CPs will be able to place their first order of a minimum quantity of 10 4CMenB vaccines
Subsequent vaccines can be ordered when the CP has recorded use of at least 50% of vaccines administered before 31 December 2026 and 70% after 31 December 2026
The CP is responsible for the supply of consumables, including suitable needles
The patient must be informed that a second dose must be administered at least 28 days after their first dose
The patient must be advised on the signs and symptoms of meningitis and sepsis.
The patient should be given a copy of the manufacturer’s patient information leaflet or directed to a web-based version
The patient must be advised who information relating to the vaccination will be shared with

Service Specification

The service specification describes the requirements for provision of the service and it is essential reading for all pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other vaccinators providing the service.

Service specification for the Meningococcal B Vaccination Advanced Service (20th July 2026 – 31st March 2027

UKHSA Guidance

The UKHSA has published guidance on the vaccination programme and an associated PowerPoint slide set, which can be used to train staff that will be administering the vaccine.

UKHSA guidance for health professionals delivering the vaccination programme

UKHSA training slide set to accompany the above guidance

Patient Group Direction (PGD)

The PGD provides the legal mechanism for administration of the MenB vaccine under the service.

Community pharmacy Meningococcal B vaccine Patient Group Direction
The PGD covers the administration of MenB vaccinations to the eligible students and has been developed by UKHSA and authorised by NHS England.

Promotional Material and Digital Resources

MenB – A4 Portrait Poster

MenB – Guide Leaflet

For further promotional material and digital resources for your pharmacy see here: Promotional resources

FAQs

Community Pharmacy England and compiled an FAQ webpage:

Meningitis B Vaccination Service FAQs – Community Pharmacy England

NHSE South East Region Public Health Commissioning Team – MenB Webinar 8th July – Presentation Slide Deck

Please note: Community pharmacies must use Record a Vaccination (RAVS) for all NHS vaccinations from autumn 2026. Please ensure you sign up for a RAVS account now, ahead of the autumn programme. Registration is open via the Record a vaccination website, with bulk onboarding available for chains of 50+ branches (contact the onboarding team at england.vdscentralonboardingsupportteam@nhs.net). Further guidance, including short training videos, is available in the RAVS user guide, the quick overview video is very useful.

For more information and resources visit the CPE – Meningitus B Vaccine webpage

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