MenB vaccine
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 VaccinationTeam 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.
More information about the MenB vaccination programme for young people can be found on the NHS Inform website at www.nhsinform.scot/menb-youngpeople.