Meningitis vaccine - who can get it amid national shortages

The unprecedented meningitis outbreak in Kent has triggered a clamour for vaccines against it.

Two students have died and 20 have been confirmed as suffering with meningitis, many of whom are seriously unwell with the life-threatening condition. GPs across the country have been ordered to prescribe antibiotics to anyone who says they attended the “super spreader event” at a nightclub in Canterbury amid fears students may be carrying the bacteria to other parts of the country.

Analysis so far suggests victims have the MenB bacteria and a targeted vaccination campaign has also been implemented as part of the NHS major incident response. This will initially be offered to 5,000 University of Kent students resident at the Canterbury campus, with a possibility that it may be extended. Children can still have the MenB vaccine for free on the NHS up to the age of two but after that it must be purchased privately.

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National vaccine shortages

However pharmacists are now reporting national shortages. 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 eight weeks, 12 weeks and one year old. It takes a couple of weeks to get the fullest protection from a vaccine and some require booster doses.

Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association said: "Pharmacies are being inundated by requests from concerned patients for MenB vaccination, which the vast majority of our members across the country have no stock currently available to fulfil.

"Most pharmacies provide MenB vaccinations as a small scale service, originally intended for patients who require it for travel or those who did not receive an NHS vaccine, and therefore do not carry significant amounts of excess stock. We understand that health officials may wish to preserve stock of vaccination for those most at need during this outbreak and pharmacies stand ready, to help in any potential NHS vaccination campaign."

UKHSA MeningitisB vaccine advice

Anyone at the club that weekend or who attended after parties at University of Kent halls of residence is at risk, particularly from spread via kissing or the sharing or drinks or vapes. The UKHSA said that as of 5pm on Tuesday some 20 cases of meningitis had been reported to it, up from 15 on Tuesday. Of these, nine cases have been confirmed in the lab and 11 remain under investigation. Six of the confirmed cases have been confirmed as the meningitis B strain.

Boots has implemented a queuing system for customers to enter the vaccination service page of its website, with a warning that demand for its menB jab is currently high. Superdrug has also created a waiting list for the vaccine, with a note on its website informing customers of a "national shortage". It said it was "working with suppliers to access further stock".

What does the MenB vaccine protect against?

However the MenB vaccine does not protect against other causes of meningitis and sepsis. The other main meningitis vaccine is the MenACWY vaccine which offers protection against four other types of bacteria that can cause meningitis - meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y.Meningitis can sometimes occur as a complication of some other infections, meaning several other vaccinations can also help protect people.

A six-in-one vaccine given to young children - also known as the DTaP/IPV/Hib/Hep B vaccine - offers protection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

The pneumococcal vaccine offers babies protection against serious infections caused by pneumococcal bacteria, including meningitis. The MMRV vaccine - which replaced the MMR vaccine in January 2026 - offers infants protection against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. The MMR vaccine is free for anyone who missed getting it when they were younger, regardless of their age.

Olivier Picard added: "It's clear there are gaps in the original national vaccination strategy and we want to reach those in most need. We are awaiting clarification about any future plans for MenB vaccination. If you have any concerns, please contact NHS 111and consult advice available on the NHS App."

The NHS advises if your child has missed any of their MenB vaccines, to contact their GP surgery. Most children can have the MenB vaccine. They only reasons they cannot have the vaccine are if either they've had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose or to an ingredient in the vaccine. Children can have the MenB vaccine if they are unwell as long as they do not have a high temperature.

What does the MenACWY vaccine protect against?

The MenACWY jab is offered to teenagers aged 14 years old. Anyone who missed out can get it for free until their 25th birthday. The vaccines do not contain any live bacteria and cannot cause meningitis.

A UKHSA spokesperson said: "GPs across the country will today be advised to prescribe antibiotics to anyone who visited Club Chemistry between March 5-7 and to University of Kent students, if they have been asked to seek preventative treatment. This is so that anyone who has travelled home, or away from Kent, can easily access this important preventative treatment close to them."

GPs across the country have been told to remain alert to anyone who may have attended Club Chemistry that weekend. There are concerns that students could be carrying the menB bacteria and have left home to be at home with their families in other parts of the country.