Meningitis B (MenB)

With the current outbreak of MenB in Kent we appreciate that some patients will be concerned and wanting clarification on who can be vaccinated.

The MenB vaccine helps protect against meningococcal group B bacteria that can cause serious illnesses, including meningitis and sepsis. It's given to children when they're 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 1 year old.

Presently the MenB vaccination is not available to older children as a “catch-up” programme as the case for whether to vaccinate teenagers against Men B is complicated. While the vaccine is great at protecting infants, it does not work so well in young people.

Teenagers are currently offered another meningitis vaccine - the MenACWY vaccine which protects against some other strains, but not MenB.

For more information see:

• MenB vaccine for children
• MenACWY vaccine

Published: Mar 17, 2026