UK Advisers Recommend MenB Vaccine for Teenagers on NHS at Age 15

1-Minute Brief

Expanding MenB vaccination to teenagers aims to increase protection against meningitis B and reduce disease risk in older adolescents.

Key Facts

• Government advisers have recommended that all teenagers should be offered a meningitis B vaccine on the NHS at around age 15.
• The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) suggests one or two doses, depending on previous vaccination as a baby.
• A catch-up programme is proposed for those who might otherwise miss out on the vaccine.
• The recommendation requires government approval before implementation.
• The MenB vaccine is currently not routinely offered to teenagers in the UK.

What Happened

UK government advisers have recommended that teenagers around age 15 be offered the MenB vaccine on the NHS, with the proposal awaiting government approval.

Why It Matters

The move is intended to enhance protection for adolescents against meningitis B, a potentially deadly infection, and could change current vaccination policy for this age group.

What's Next

The government will consider the JCVI's recommendation and decide whether to implement the expanded MenB vaccination programme for teenagers.