Meningococcal group B (MenB) is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). It can strike previously healthy young people without warning and progress quickly. From July 2026, the NHS is offering a one-off MenB vaccination through community pharmacies in England — and Brookfield Pharmacy in Hucclecote is taking part, so students across Gloucester, Churchdown, Brockworth, Barnwood and Abbeymead can get protected close to home.
First-year university students face a risk of meningococcal disease around 7 times higher than peers of the same age who don't go to university. The reasons include:
Getting vaccinated before you start protects you when you need it most — and helps reduce the spread to those around you.
The MenB vaccine is offered free on the NHS to specific groups of students through the one-off 2026 programme. If you're not eligible, you can still protect yourself with a private vaccination at Brookfield Pharmacy.
The MenB vaccine offers important protection at a time of life when the risk is greatest:
Getting your MenB vaccination at our Hucclecote pharmacy is simple:
Book online or by phone, or simply walk in during our opening hours. No GP referral is needed.
Our pharmacist will confirm whether you qualify for the free NHS vaccine or the private option, and check the vaccine is suitable for you.
The vaccine is given as a quick injection in the upper arm and takes only a few seconds.
We'll arrange your second dose at least 28 days later. You'll be fully protected around six weeks after your first dose.
No vaccine protects against every cause of meningitis, so it's vital to know the warning signs. Symptoms can appear in any order — and some may not appear at all. Trust your instincts and act fast.
If you suspect meningitis or septicaemia, get medical help immediately — call 999 or go to A&E. Don't wait for a rash to appear.
From July 2026, the NHS is running a one-off, time-limited MenB (meningococcal group B) vaccination programme through community pharmacies in England. It is aimed at older teenagers and young adults starting university or further education, who are at higher risk of meningococcal disease, particularly in shared living spaces.
Year 13 students born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 are eligible, along with under-25s born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting university as undergraduates for the first time in autumn 2026, or moving into further education accommodation for the first time. If you are unsure whether you qualify, our pharmacist can check your eligibility.
If you fall outside the NHS criteria but still want protection, you can have the MenB vaccine privately at Brookfield Pharmacy from £125 per dose. A full course is two doses given at least 28 days apart.
MenB is a two-dose vaccine for this age group. The second dose is given a minimum of 28 days after the first, and it takes around six weeks from your first dose to be fully protected.
Yes. The protection from MenB vaccines given in infancy reduces over time, and the strains circulating among teenagers and young adults differ. Eligible students are advised to have the vaccine again as part of this programme.
The MenB vaccine is very safe. The most common side effects are mild — soreness, redness or swelling where the injection is given, and sometimes a mild fever, headache or muscle aches. These usually settle within a day or two.
Eligible people can get a first dose up to 31 December 2026 and a second dose up to 31 March 2027. We recommend booking early so you can complete both doses within the programme.
