Following recent outbreaks of meningitis in the UK, the Scottish Government has announced plans to offer a new programme of Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination for young people this summer.
This time-limited programme will be offered to some older teenagers and some new college and university students who are at higher risk of exposure to meningococcal group B bacteria.
The MenB vaccine will be offered to:
- young people born between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009, and any others who were in S6 during the 2025-26 academic year, regardless of future education plans
- undergraduate university entrants under the age of 25 who are starting for the first time in the academic year 2026-27, including international students
- college entrants under 25 starting for the first time in the academic year 2026-27 while living away from home in shared student accommodation, including international students.
The two-dose vaccination programme will commence on Monday 6 July 2026; it’s essential to get both doses for protection. You can drop in to Grantfield Vaccination Centre in Lerwick to have your first dose of the vaccine at one of the following clinics:
- Monday 6 July -9.10am to 12.10pm or 2pm to 4pm
- Tuesday 7 July -9.10am to 12.10pm
- Wednesday 8 July -9.10am to12.10pm
- Thursday 9 July -9 .10am to 12.10pm or 2pm to 4pm
- Friday 10 July -9.10am to 12.10pm or 2pm to 4pm
If you cannot attend one of these drop-in clinics, please contact the Vaccination Team on 01595 743319 or email shet.vaccination-team@nhs.scot to arrange an appointment at another time. Drop in clinics may be busy, but you will be seen as soon as possible. Patients who are registered at Hillswick, Unst, Yell and Whalsay health centres can contact their own practice or attend a drop-in clinic.
Dates for clinics for the second dose will be announced soon.
Dr Susan Laidlaw, Director of Public Health for NHS Shetland, said: “Immunisation is the most effective way of preventing illness from meningococcal disease. If you are a young person who is eligible for this MenB vaccination programme, it’s important you take up the offer before you start higher education. Because you need two doses (at least four weeks apart) and it takes around two weeks to work properly, I would really urge you to get your first dose as soon as you can so that you are as well protected as possible before you leave for university or college. Please do not worry if you can’t attend the advertised drop-in clinics; just contact the Vaccination Team, and we will arrange an appointment on another date for you.
“Although many young people will already have received the MenACWY vaccine at school, they may still be at risk of meningitis and sepsis caused by other meningococcal bacteria, including group B. That’s why it’s important to take up the offer of the MenB vaccine, which will provide increased protection against meningococcal disease.”
It should be noted that, at present, this is a one-off programme for this year. It does not affect the Meningitis B vaccination programme for babies.
Further information
- More information about the MenB vaccination programme for young people can be found on the NHS Inform website at www.nhsinform.scot/menb-youngpeople. This webpage will be updated regularly.
- More information on signs and symptoms of meningitis is available at www.nhsinform.scot/meningitis
- Vaccines offer the best protection against meningococcal disease. For information on how to check your own or your child's vaccination history, please visit: Getting your vaccinations | NHS inform
- All students, including those who have moved to Scotland from overseas, are encouraged to make sure they are up to date with vaccinations offered for free by NHS Scotland. Visit www.nhsinform.scot/vaccinesforstudents to find out more.
- PHS carefully monitors meningococcal disease in Scotland on an ongoing basis. Data on meningococcal disease in Scotland is available in the latest quarterly report .