Nerys Evans MS, Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health
I have decided to introduce a time-limited Meningococcal Group B (MenB) vaccination programme in Wales as a precautionary measure ahead of the next academic year. This follows the unprecedented outbreak of MenB primarily among University of Kent students in March 2026, and more recent smaller outbreaks in Weymouth and Reading. Whilst the risk to the general public remains low, the Kent outbreak was unusually large; the fastest growing MenB outbreak ever seen in the UK, and therefore it is sensible that we take steps to help protect the young people at highest immediate risk this year, ahead of the usual time of the year when more cases are reported. Based on the scientific evidence, the risk from MenB is higher in those attending university for the first time.
The programme is also being introduced in the other UK nations and will run from July until December this year.
Meningococcal disease is rare but is a serious bacterial infection and MenB is the most common cause of invasive meningococcal disease in the UK. MenB bacteria often live harmlessly in the throat, but if they enter the bloodstream or the fluid around the brain and spinal cord, they can cause meningitis (inflammation of the brain lining) and sepsis, both of which can become life‑threatening very rapidly—sometimes within hours. Meningococcal disease is not as contagious as illnesses like COVID‑19 or measles, but clusters occur usually in environments where young people live in close proximity and mix closely, such as university halls.
The MenB vaccine, Bexsero®, is currently offered as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme and is highly effective in providing direct protection against invasive meningococcal disease. Whilst it does not prevent disease transmission in the wider population, the vaccine does protect vaccinated individuals against infection and helps reduce the severity of illness.
As two doses of the Bexsero® (4CMenB) vaccine are required for protection, it is important to start offering vaccination as soon as practicably possible to ensure those identified at highest risk can be fully vaccinated before the start of the next academic year, and the peak season for MenB in the autumn.
Officials are working with NHS Wales to plan for this time limited offer of MenB vaccination to be made available to those at highest risk from July 2026. Further details on eligibility and how this programme will operate will be communicated via a Welsh Health Circular. We will work with partners to raise awareness and urge all those eligible to take up their offer of vaccination.