NHS will be calling young people and students forward for their lifesaving meningitis jab at high street pharmacies from July 20.
15:18, 18 Jul 2026Updated 15:22, 18 Jul 2026
NHS confirms new age rule from Monday morning with threshold announced
The NHS has confirmed an age rule change from Monday – with a new threshold confirmed. The NHS will be calling young people and students forward for their lifesaving meningitis jab at high street pharmacies from July 20.
Monday will see the first vaccine jab appointments take place. It is available for 17 and 18-year-olds currently in the last year of sixth form and students under the age of 25 who are heading to residential colleges or university this autumn for the first time.
In total, around a million young people are expected to be eligible for the vaccine. Those who are eligible are: people born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, people born on or after 21 July 2001 and starting university for the first time this autumn and people born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting in some residential further education colleges for the first time this autumn.
READ MORE New rubbish law for UK households with £5,000 fines for breaking it
17 and 18-year-olds can book from today via the NHS National Booking Service for appointments at community pharmacies.
Other eligible people can contact a participating pharmacy to book an appointment, which start from Monday.
Head of Health Insights and Policy at Meningitis Research Foundation, Brian Davies, said: “Too many of the people we support are left asking ‘what if?’ after MenB has changed their lives forever.
“This vaccination programme gives young people and their families the chance to avoid that heartbreak.”
The statement from Mr Davies went on, telling NHS patients up and down the country: “Having supported thousands of people through the Kent outbreak and other recent clusters of cases, we know how important it is to close the MenB protection gap for teenagers and young adults.
“If you’re eligible, don’t delay – get to your local pharmacy, have both doses and give yourself the best possible protection now.”