Meningococcal (meningitis) B - vaccination

Meningitis B is one of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia in the UK, and it can develop within hours. The MenB vaccine (Bexsero) protects against this strain and is available at pharmacies across the country, both through the NHS routine immunisation schedule and as a private service for anyone outside the NHS-funded age bracket.

Under the NHS childhood immunisation schedule, babies receive the MenB vaccine at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 1 year of age, fully funded. Outside this window, whether that's an older child, a teenager heading to university, or an adult who missed the vaccine as an infant, the NHS does not routinely fund MenB. That's where our private service comes in. We offer MenB vaccination for anyone aged 2 to 21 who falls outside NHS eligibility, so families don't have to leave a gap in protection just because of age.

University freshers and teenagers living in halls or shared accommodation are at higher risk of meningococcal disease due to close living quarters, similar to the risk pattern that drives the separate MenACWY vaccine requirement for new students. Many parents choose to add MenB protection privately for exactly this reason, since it isn't part of the funded adolescent schedule the way MenACWY is. Others are simply catching up a child who was born before MenB entered the routine schedule in 2015, or who missed doses due to being born abroad.

The vaccine is given as an injection into the upper arm or thigh (for infants), takes only a few minutes, and can be booked directly with a participating pharmacy near you, no GP referral required. Most appointments run 15 to 30 minutes depending on the pharmacy, allowing time for a short health check beforehand and any questions you have about dosing schedules if this is part of a multi-dose catch-up course.

MenB vaccination commonly causes mild, short-lived side effects such as soreness at the injection site, a low-grade fever, or fussiness in infants, all of which typically resolve within a day or two. Your pharmacist will talk you through what to expect and what to watch for based on the age of the person being vaccinated.

Enter your postcode above to see pharmacies offering MenB vaccination near you, along with appointment length, price, and same-day availability where offered.