NHS Meningitis B Vaccination at Neils Pharmacy

At Neils Pharmacy, eligible young people can receive the Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine free through the NHS.

💉 The programme provides a course of 2 MenB vaccinations, with the second dose normally given at least 28 days after the first.

📅 This is a one-off, time-limited NHS programme. First doses must be given by 31 December 2026, with second doses available until 31 March 2027.

✅ Please arrange your first vaccination as early as possible so there is enough time to complete both doses and develop protection.

🦠 This one-off NHS vaccination offer follows a number of recent meningococcal B outbreaks involving young people.

🎓 Young people entering university are at increased risk because they may be living, studying and socialising closely with large groups of new people.

📊 First-year university students have been shown to have a substantially higher risk of meningococcal disease than young people of a similar age who do not attend university.

🛡️ The programme is intended to protect the young people considered to be at highest risk during the 2026/27 academic year.

🧠 Meningococcal group B bacteria can cause serious illnesses including meningitis, septicaemia and sepsis.

Meningitis is an infection affecting the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Septicaemia occurs when the infection enters the bloodstream.

⚠️ Although meningococcal disease is uncommon, it can develop rapidly and may cause severe illness, long-term disability or death.

🚨 Anyone with symptoms suggesting meningitis or sepsis needs urgent medical help. Vaccination appointments must not delay emergency assessment or treatment.

You may receive the free NHS MenB vaccine if you are in one of the following groups:

🎂 You were born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008

🎓 You were born on or after 21 July 2001 and are starting undergraduate higher education for the first time in autumn 2026

🏠 You were born on or after 21 July 2001 and are starting further education for the first time in autumn 2026, where you will be living in eligible further-education accommodation or halls of residence

🎖️ This can include eligible military personnel entering an approved military further-education setting for the first time.

🌍 Eligible university and residential further-education entrants can include international students and students from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

📌 People born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 are eligible based on their date of birth, whether or not they are planning to attend university or college.

Unless you qualify through the date-of-birth group above, this time-limited NHS programme does not normally include:

❌ Existing second-year, third-year or other continuing university students

❌ Postgraduate students

❌ People who have previously entered higher or further education and are not entering for the first time in autumn 2026

❌ Further-education students who will not be living in eligible residential accommodation

💬 Please speak to our pharmacy team if you are uncertain whether your university, college or residential setting meets the NHS eligibility requirements.

1️⃣ First dose: Arrange this as soon as possible.

2️⃣ Second dose: Normally given at least 28 days after the first dose.

🛡️ It can take around 2 weeks after the second dose to develop a good level of protection. This means it may take approximately 6 weeks from the first dose to complete the course and develop protection.

📅 Wherever possible, both doses should be completed before starting university or residential further education.

📍 Your second dose does not have to be given at the same pharmacy as your first dose. This can be helpful if you move away to begin your studies.

💉 Your previous MenB vaccination history will be reviewed before vaccination.

If you previously received one dose of Bexsero®, you may only need one further dose to complete the course, provided the required interval has passed.

If you completed a 2-dose Bexsero® course within the last 5 years, you will not normally require further MenB vaccination under this programme.

If you completed a Bexsero® course 5 or more years ago, you may be offered one further dose.

⚠️ If you previously received Trumenba®, your vaccination history will need to be assessed carefully because Bexsero® and Trumenba® are different vaccines and are not interchangeable.

📝 Please bring any vaccination record, vaccine card, GP record, app record or information from a previous private vaccination provider that you have available.

💉 The vaccine used for this NHS programme is Bexsero®.

🧬 Bexsero® is a non-live, protein-based vaccine. It cannot cause meningitis B.

🌱 The vaccine used for the programme does not contain animal products.

🏥 Bexsero® has an established safety record and is already used as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.

⚠️ The vaccine protects against many, but not all, meningococcal B strains. It does not protect against every possible cause of meningitis, so it remains important to recognise the symptoms.

🛡️ Many young people have already received the MenACWY vaccine through the school vaccination programme.

MenACWY protects against meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y, but it does not protect against meningococcal group B.

✅ You should therefore still receive the MenB vaccine if you meet the eligibility requirements, even if you have already received MenACWY.

🎂 If you qualify through the Year 13 date-of-birth group, your eligibility will normally be confirmed using your date of birth and available clinical records.

🎓 If you qualify because you are entering university or residential further education, please bring acceptable evidence of your place, such as:

📧 An official university or college offer email

📄 A university or college offer letter

📱 A screenshot of your offer from the UCAS Hub

🎖️ An official joining letter or other evidence for an eligible military further-education setting

The evidence should show the name of the institution, your course or programme and confirmation that you have received a conditional or unconditional offer for the 2026/27 academic year.

🪪 Please bring suitable identification where available

💉 Bring details of any previous MenB vaccinations if you have them

✅ You do not need to be registered with a GP or have an NHS number to receive the vaccine if you otherwise meet the eligibility requirements.

🔎 Our trained pharmacy team will confirm your age and NHS eligibility.

📝 We will ask about your health, allergies, current medicines and previous vaccinations.

💬 The vaccination will be explained and your consent obtained before it is administered.

💉 The vaccine is normally given as an injection into the upper arm.

📅 After your first dose, we will explain when your second dose is due and encourage you to arrange it as soon as possible.

📋 Your vaccination will be recorded securely and shared with relevant NHS vaccination systems and your GP record where applicable.

Like all vaccines, the MenB vaccine can cause side effects. Common effects in young people and adults can include:

💪 Pain, tenderness, redness or swelling where the injection was given

🤕 Headache

😴 Tiredness or feeling generally unwell

🤢 Feeling sick

🦵 Muscle or joint aches

🌡️ A mild fever

✅ These effects are usually mild and normally improve within 1 or 2 days. Serious reactions are rare. You will be given advice about what to expect and when to seek further help.

🚨 Vaccination helps reduce your risk, but it does not prevent every strain or every possible cause of meningitis. It remains important to recognise the symptoms.

🌡️ A very high or very low temperature

🤕 A severe or worsening headache

🧍 A stiff neck or discomfort looking at bright light

🤮 Vomiting

😴 Severe drowsiness or difficulty waking

🧠 Confusion, seizures or unusual behaviour

🔴 A rash that does not fade when pressed firmly with a clear glass

Do not wait for a rash. Symptoms can appear in any order and some people do not develop one.

📞 Call 999 or seek emergency medical help immediately if you are concerned about meningitis or sepsis.

💙 Free NHS vaccination for eligible patients

💉 Appropriately trained and experienced vaccinators

🔐 Private and confidential consultation facilities

🏥 Fully registered NHS community pharmacy

📅 Support with arranging and completing both doses

📍 Convenient local access in Prescot, close to Whiston Hospital

Born Between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008

📅 People in the 2025/26 Year 13 date-of-birth group can book through the NHS National Booking Service.

👉 Book or manage an NHS MenB vaccination appointment

🔎 When asked to search for a pharmacy, enter postcode L35 5DY and select Neils Pharmacy.

📞 If you are unable to use the online booking service, call 119. Translation support is available through the telephone booking service.

Starting University or Residential Further Education

🎓 If you are eligible because you are starting undergraduate university or eligible residential further education for the first time, please contact Neils Pharmacy directly to arrange your appointment.

📍

Neils Pharmacy
32 Molyneux Drive
Prescot
Merseyside
L35 5DY

📄 Remember to bring evidence of your university, residential further-education or eligible military further-education place.

Is the MenB vaccination free?
✅ Yes. Vaccination is free through the NHS if you meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.

Do I need a GP referral?
❌ No. Eligible patients can access the service directly through a participating community pharmacy.

Do I need an NHS number or GP registration?
❌ No. You must not be refused solely because you do not have an NHS number or are not registered with a GP.

Do I need both doses?
✅ Yes. Two doses are recommended for maximum protection, normally with at least 28 days between them.

Can I receive my second dose at a different pharmacy?
✅ Yes. Your second dose does not have to be given by the same pharmacy that administered your first dose.

I have already had the MenACWY vaccine. Do I still need MenB?
✅ Yes, if you are eligible. MenACWY does not protect against meningococcal group B disease.

I have previously received a MenB vaccine. Can I still use the service?
💉 Possibly. This depends on which MenB vaccine you received, how many doses you had and when they were given. Our pharmacy team will review your vaccination history.

Do I need proof that I am starting university or college?
📄 Yes, if your eligibility is based on starting undergraduate higher education or residential further education. Please bring your official offer email, letter or UCAS Hub evidence.

Can an international student use the service?
🌍 Yes, provided they meet the age and first-time university or eligible residential further-education requirements.

When does the programme finish?
📅 First doses must be administered by 31 December 2026. Second doses can be administered until 31 March 2027.