Need Help! Call 01472 353019 or Email periville@yahoo.co.uk

Advice Centre | Contact Us

NHS Meningitis B Vaccination

Meningitis B is a fast-moving bacterial infection that can become life-threatening within hours, with babies, young children, and students in shared accommodation among those most at risk. At Periville Pharmacy, we help families and young people understand and access the NHS MenB vaccine, including the new NHS vaccination programme for school leavers and university students launching in summer 2026.

Our two community branches serve patients throughout Grimsby and the surrounding areas, including Laceby, Keelby, Great Coates, and Healing.

Book An Appointment
Patient receiving an NHS Meningitis B vaccination
Pharmacist providing Meningitis B vaccination advice

What Is Meningitis B?

Meningitis B is an infection caused by meningococcal group B bacteria, the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK. If the bacteria take hold, they can cause:
  • Swelling of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
  • Septicaemia, where the bacteria poison the blood.
  • Sepsis, the body's extreme and potentially fatal response to infection.
Because the infection can escalate so rapidly, meningitis B immunisation remains the most reliable way to prevent serious MenB illness.

Meningitis B Symptoms to Be Aware Of

In the early stages, meningitis B symptoms are easy to mistake for a cold or flu, yet the condition can deteriorate within hours. Watch for:
  • A fever that climbs quickly.
  • An intense headache.
  • Vomiting, or refusing feeds in babies.
  • Hands and feet that feel unusually cold.
  • Discomfort in bright light.
  • Unusual drowsiness or confusion.
  • A rash that stays visible when a glass is pressed against it.
Never wait to see if symptoms improve. If you suspect meningitis, seek emergency medical help straight away.
Meningitis B vaccination to help protect against meningococcal disease

What to Expect
at Your Appointment

  • Private consultation with a pharmacist
  • Assessment of your symptoms
  • Clear recovery plan and guidance

How Well Does the Meningitis B Vaccine Work?

Before the vaccine arrived, meningococcal group B bacteria caused more cases of meningitis and sepsis than any other organism in the UK. That picture has changed dramatically. Evidence from the UK childhood programme shows vaccination has cut MenB disease by around 75% among eligible vaccinated groups, sparing thousands of children from severe illness, hospital admission, and lasting complications.

Book An Appointment

Who Is Eligible for the NHS Meningitis B Vaccine?

The NHS meningitis vaccine is free for the groups at greatest risk of MenB infection. Meningitis B vaccine NHS eligibility currently covers babies and young children, and from 20 July 2026, it extends to certain teenagers and young adults for the first time.

Babies and young children

The routine meningitis B vaccine schedule consists of 3 doses, given alongside other childhood vaccines at:
  • 8 weeks old.
  • 12 weeks old.
  • 1 year old.
If your child has missed a dose, speak to their GP surgery, as catch-up doses remain available until a child turns 2.

Teenagers and young people (from 20 July 2026)

A one-off NHS vaccination programme now extends the MenB vaccine to:
  • Teenagers aged 17 or 18 born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008.
  • Young people aged 24 or under starting university, or some types of residential further education, for the first time in autumn 2026.
Two doses, spaced at least 4 weeks apart, are needed for full protection.
International students under 25 entering their first year of university are also included, though they’re advised to receive their first dose in their home country where possible, before arriving in the UK.

NHS Meningitis B Vaccination at Periville Pharmacy

Community pharmacies are central to delivering the new NHS MenB programme for school leavers and students, with first doses available from the end of July 2026. Our Periville Pharmacy team is here to:
  • Check your eligibility for the NHS MenB vaccine.
  • Deliver the 2-dose course before the academic year begins.
  • Answer your questions about the vaccine and what to expect.

The MenB vaccine targets meningococcal group B bacteria only, so knowing the symptoms still matters. If the NHS programme doesn’t cover you, private meningitis B vaccination may be an option.

Why Choose Periville Pharmacy?

  • A qualified, approachable pharmacy team you can talk to without an appointment.
  • Straightforward advice on NHS eligibility and your vaccination options.
  • Care built around families, from newborns to school leavers.
  • Two accessible branches within the local community.

Book Your NHS Meningitis B Vaccination Today

If you’ve finished year 13 this summer, are heading to university this autumn, or want guidance on your child’s routine vaccinations, our team is ready to help. Call in at either Periville Pharmacy branch or book an appointment today.
Book An Appointment

FAQs

It protects against illness caused by meningococcal group B bacteria, including meningitis, septicaemia, and sepsis.
Babies receive 3 doses at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 1 year old at their GP surgery. Missed doses can be caught up through the GP until the age of 2.
From 20 July 2026, a one-off NHS programme covers teenagers aged 17 or 18 born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, and young adults aged 24 or under starting university or residential further education for the first time in autumn 2026. Adults outside these groups may wish to consider private vaccination.
The most common side effects are soreness or swelling where the injection was given, a raised temperature, tiredness, and reduced appetite. These typically pass within a day or two, and serious reactions are very rare.
No. It covers meningococcal group B bacteria only, so staying alert to the symptoms of meningitis remains important.

News and Insights

Yellow Fever Vaccine - Periville Pharmacy

Yellow Fever Vaccine: Everything Travellers Need to Know

August 18, 2026

If you’re travelling to a country where yellow fever is a risk, getting vaccinated is one of the most important steps you can take before you go. The yellow fever vaccine protects against this serious mosquito-borne disease and is required for entry into some destinations.   This guide explains who needs

Meningitis B vaccine - Periville Pharmacy

Meningitis B Vaccine: Everything You Need to Know

August 14, 2026

If you’ve been told about the Meningitis B vaccine, you may be wondering what it actually protects against, who needs it and whether you or your child can have it. Also known as the MenB vaccine, it protects against meningococcal group B bacteria, which can cause bacterial meningitis and septicaemia.

Mosquito Bite and a Spider Bite

Mosquito Bites vs Spider Bites: What’s the Difference?

August 12, 2026

Mosquito bites are usually small, itchy bumps, while spider bites in the UK are uncommon and tend to be a single, more painful bite, often from a false widow spider. If you’re not sure what’s bitten you, here’s how to tell the difference between mosquito bites vs spider bites, recognise

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Who Is Most at Risk of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

August 5, 2026

Older adults, vegans and vegetarians, and people with certain digestive or autoimmune conditions are among those most at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Left untreated, it can leave you feeling constantly tired, affect your memory and concentration, and in severe cases cause lasting nerve damage. In this blog, we’ll explain

Cotton bud and ear cleaning safety advice

Why You Should Avoid Cotton Buds in Your Ears

July 16, 2026

Cotton buds don’t remove earwax; they push it further down the ear canal, which can lead to blockages, damage, and even hearing problems. It’s a habit most of us grew up with, yet it’s one of the most common causes of avoidable ear injuries seen by pharmacists and GPs.   In this blog, we’ll look at why cotton buds

Travel health consultation for diarrhoea prevention

Can You Prevent Travellers’ Diarrhoea With Vaccines?

July 13, 2026

There is a vaccine that offers some protection against travellers’ diarrhoea, but it only covers certain causes and isn’t a substitute for careful food and water hygiene. Anyone planning a trip abroad, particularly to areas with lower sanitation standards, will want to know exactly what protection is available and what still relies