Updated: September 21 2026
Eligible young people can now walk in to one of our clinics for a first or second dose of the meningitis B vaccine
The vaccine is being offered to 17 and 18 year olds (born between September 1 2007 and August 31 2008) and anyone under 25 who will begin a university or residential college course for the first time later this year.
MenB vaccination clinics are now open to allow more young people to get vaccinated. Drop in vaccination is available for first and second doses of the vaccine.
Two doses of the vaccine are required for full protection. Please make sure you receive both doses.
Young people will be given an appointment for a second dose after receiving their first. The two doses are usually given around four weeks apart.
If you have missed an appointment for your second dose of the MenB vaccine, you can still walk in to one of our clinics to catch up. Please do not attend for your second dose until 28 days after your first.
If you had your first dose outside Wales, please bring evidence of your vaccination status with you if you can – eg the MenB vaccination record card you were given following your first dose, or a photograph of it.
Young people who have missed other recommended vaccinations will also be offered the opportunity to catch up at these clinics.
The Welsh Government announced the precautionary vaccination campaign in June, following a MenB outbreak in Kent earlier this year in which 21 people became ill and two young people sadly died.
Eligible groups include:
Please do not contact your GP surgery or our school immunisation teams to request the MenB vaccine as they will be unable to offer it.
The campaign will run for a limited time, with all first doses by December 31. View more information, including Frequently Asked Questions, from Public Health Wales
For enquiries or to arrange vaccination for eligible 18 to 25 year olds, please call the Vaccination Contact Centre on 03000 840004 or email BCU.SROCovid19VaccinationProgramme@wales.nhs.uk.
The contact centre is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. It is closed at weekends and on bank holidays.
Further information about calling our Vaccination Contact Centre.
We recommend that young people, parents and families familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of meningitis and sepsis.
These conditions can progress rapidly from mild symptoms to severe illness. Babies, young children, teenagers and young adults (especially those in close-contact settings like colleges and universities) are at higher risk.
Bacterial meningitis can be caused by a number of different types of bacteria. Several vaccinations in the routine vaccination schedule in Wales offer protection against different strains of meningitis.
Outside of this targeted programme announced by the Welsh Government, the MenB vaccine is currently not routinely offered to children aged over two years or adults through the NHS in Wales.
MenACWY vaccination is usually offered to children in Year 9 at clinics held in school. Children in school year 9 or above who did not receive the MenACWY vaccine in class can contact our school immunisation teams to arrange to catch up. Please see further details about Vaccinations for young people below.
For the best protection against preventable illness, it is vital that children and young people are fully vaccinated.
NHS vaccinations offered in Wales are based on recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the Welsh Government. Details of the routine NHS vaccination schedule in Wales are available here.
This page will be kept under review and will be updated as new information becomes available.