Meningitis B outbreak in Kent highlights the need for immunisation of university students.
University is the time for socialising, mingling, and, as a result, the spread of infection. An outbreak of meningitis B (MenB), a bacterial infection that affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, in Kent in March 2026 ended with 29 total confirmed or suspected cases and two fatalities. The outbreak was swiftly contained by means of an Urgent Vaccination Response bolstered by the administration of preventative antibiotics launched by the UK Health Security Agency, offered to those who were infected or at risk due to close contact. While the programme in Kent was focused primarily on containment and curbing the outbreak, the incident has prompted a free, one-off, time-limited MenB vaccination programme from July 2026 for eligible young people.
In Scotland, young people born between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009, and both local and international students under the age of 25 starting their first undergraduate university course, or starting their first college course and living at student accommodation this year, are eligible for the vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are essential, prescribed to be taken at least 28 days apart, and sufficient immunity is achieved 2 weeks after the second dose. The process thus takes a total of 6 weeks, which is why health authorities strongly encourage getting vaccinated at the earliest, ideally receiving at least the first dose before the start of the autumn term. Within the Glasgow and Greater Clyde region, eligible young people can attend any drop-in clinic without an appointment for vaccination. First doses are available until 31 December 2026, and second doses until 31 March 2027.
Unfortunately, the vaccine is not available to all students, advised as economically infeasible by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). For those not eligible for the vaccine, there is no cause for alarm. While the disease is serious, the risk to the general public is low. The disease is not very contagious and requires close and prolonged exposure such as living in the same house, sharing drinks and utensils, or intimate contact. It is crucial to recognise the symptoms, including sudden onset fever, a worsening headache, a stiff neck and aversion to bright lights, and seek immediate medical care if observed. Private vaccination appointments are also available at local travel clinics and pharmacies, including chains such as Boots and Superdrug, at the slightly hefty price of £105-£110 per dose.
In addition to the MenB vaccine, there are three recommended vaccines students starting college or university should have received: the meningitis ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine, the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, and the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine.
The MenACWY vaccine helps protect against 4 types of bacteria linked to meningitis and sepsis. Most students in the UK receive the vaccine at around 13-14 years of age as part of school immunisation programmes. Anyone who missed having the vaccine at school is eligible to receive the vaccine up to 25 years of age. The HPV vaccine protects against harmful variants of HPV that can lead to certain cancers and genital warts, and is especially important for sexually active individuals. Students also receive it as part of routine immunisation between the ages of 11 and 13. All girls and boys born on or after 1 September 2006 are eligible to receive it up to the age of 25 if they missed it in school. The MMR vaccine is administered very early on in childhood, with children in the UK receiving the 2 doses at 12 months and 18 months of age respectively. Anyone born before 31 December 2019 who has missed this vaccine when they were younger is encouraged to get the vaccine through their local GP surgery.
For non-Glaswegian students coming to university, registering with a local GP should be at the top of your university checklist. International students who may not have received the above vaccinations can contact the NHS Glasgow and Greater Clyde immunisation team to confirm eligibility to receive any vaccines you may need.
University students are highly mobile and socially active, and thus are a group particularly vulnerable to infection. Getting vaccinated not only protects individuals from disease, but, on a large enough scale, serves to protect entire populations from disease by means of herd immunity. The old adage, prevention is better than cure, rings true; vaccinations provide essential immunity to a host of infections, and ensuring that you are fully vaccinated is just one more simple step in ensuring that you are able to lead your best and healthiest university life.
