New figures highlight ongoing Meningitis B risk for students

Young adults, particularly university students, remain at increased risk from meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, with new figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showing that Meningitis B (MenB) was responsible for 97% of invasive meningococcal disease cases in 15 to 24-year-olds (93 of 96 cases) in England during 2025 to 2026.

The new data, published in the Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) Report for England, show that MenB was also responsible for 88.8% (309 of 348) of all IMD cases in England during the year, and was the leading cause of the disease across almost all age groups under 25, including infants (92%, 34 of 37) and 1- to 4-year-olds (100%, 35 of 35). 

The report and figures for younger children also underline the importance of parents ensuring infants receive their three MenB vaccines on time as part of the routine Childhood Programme, as timely vaccination remains the best protection against MenB in the early years of life, when children are also at high risk of infection. 

Invasive Meningococcal Disease can be serious, with 26 deaths recorded among 348 confirmed cases during the year. 

In March 2026, an unprecedented Meningitis B outbreak in Kent was associated with 21 cases in students and other young people in the Canterbury area. This was followed by two further MenB outbreaks, each involving three or more cases, in Dorset and in the Reading area. The outbreaks tragically caused three deaths, and some of those who survived the infections are now facing lifelong health consequences. 

The Dorset outbreak involved three young people, all of whom were confirmed to have MenB caused by a strain distinct from the one identified in Kent, and all three received treatment and recovered. UKHSA worked alongside the NHS and Dorset Council to offer preventative antibiotics and MenB vaccination to secondary school-age children and young people living in or attending school in the affected area, as a precautionary measure to limit further spread.  

A one-off, time-limited MenB vaccination programme was launched this summer, targeting those at highest immediate risk of MenB disease, primarily school leavers and first-year university and higher education undergraduates. 

In the South West, 26,754 doses of the MenB vaccine have already been given to young people through the programme since 20 July. This includes 5,425 doses administered in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB area, 4,724 in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, 2,065 in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, 5,277 in Devon, 3,390 in Dorset, 3,502 in Gloucestershire, and 2,371 in Somerset. But thousands more school leavers and first-year undergraduates across the region remain eligible ahead of freshers' week. 

This is important because students in their first year of university face a risk of meningococcal disease around seven times higher than young people of a similar age who do not go to university. 

As freshers' weeks get underway across the South West, students will be mixing closely with lots of new people, in halls, at social events and in shared accommodation, which increases the risk of picking up the meningococcal bacteria. Every eligible student is urged to come forward for both doses of the MenB vaccine as soon as possible, and to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis so they know what to look out for in themselves and their friends. 

Dr Josh Howkins, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA, said: 

"Earlier this year we saw MenB cases confirmed in Weymouth, a stark reminder that this disease remains a real and serious threat to young people right here in the South West.  

"University is an exciting time, but it's also when young people are at greater risk of meningococcal disease due to close, prolonged contact with lots of new people, and today's figures show just how real that risk is. 

"Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, so it's important that everyone is alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, which can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet. Septicaemia can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass. 

"If you or someone you know develops these symptoms, seek medical help urgently by going to your nearest A&E or calling 999. If a friend or housemate goes to bed unwell, check on them regularly, as early treatment can be lifesaving. 

"The MenB vaccine offer for students and young people is now underway across the region, and it's absolutely vital that everyone eligible in the South West gets their two doses, ideally before term starts, but if not, then as soon as possible. Two doses are important for the best protection against most strains of Meningitis B in this age group, so please don't leave it half done or leave it too late. It only takes a few minutes and will be the best insurance you can have against this deadly disease. 

Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia may occur in any order and include: 

• high temperature 

• cold hands and feet 

• vomiting 

• confusion 

• breathing quickly 

• muscle and joint pain 

• pale, mottled or blotchy skin (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin) 

• spots or a rash (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin) 

• headache 

• stiff neck 

• dislike of bright lights 

• being very sleepy or difficult to wake 

• fits (seizures) 

In addition to MenB, meningococcal A, C, W and Y are also important causes of meningitis and septicaemia in young people. The MenACWY vaccine is routinely offered to teenagers as part of the school immunisation programme.

All teenage cohorts remain eligible for MenACWY vaccination until their 25th birthday, and it is important that these cohorts continue to take up the offer if they have not been vaccinated in school, particularly if they are entering Higher Education Institutions where their risk of disease is much higher than that of their peers. 

For further information on meningitis:

• Meningitis - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/ 
• MenB vaccine for children - https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/menb-vaccine-for-children/ 
• Book a MenB vaccination appointment - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-a-menb-vaccination-appointment/ 
• Meningitis in students: Information and advice - https://www.meningitisnow.org/get-support/supporting-young-people/meningitis-in-students/ 
• Who is eligible for the 2026 one-off MenB vaccine programme? https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/12/who-is-eligible-for-the-new-one-off-menb-vaccine-programme/