MenB vaccination for young people

A new national programme is offering the MenB (meningococcal B) vaccine to eligible young people in Scotland.

This programme has been introduced by the Scottish Government, with support from Public Health Scotland and NHS boards, to help protect those at higher risk of meningococcal disease.

What is MenB?

MenB is a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia).

It can develop quickly and, in some cases, lead to life-changing complications.

Who is eligible?

The MenB vaccine is being offered to:

• young people born between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009, and any others who were in S6 during the 2025 to 2026 academic year, regardless of future education plans
• undergraduate university entrants under the age of 25* who are starting for the first time in the 2026 to 2027 academic year, including international students
• college entrants under 25* starting for the first time in the 2026 to 2027 academic year while living away from home in shared student accommodation, including international students

* Individuals who turn 25 years of age between 06/07/2026 and 31/12/2026 are eligible.

Why it’s important

Meningococcal disease can spread rapidly in shared living environments, and risk is greater when young people first begin mixing in new settings.

Many young people will already have had the MenACWY vaccine. However, they may still be at risk of meningitis and sepsis caused by other meningococcal bacteria, including group B.

The MenB vaccine provides increased protection against meningococcal disease.

When to get vaccinated

The programme will start in July 2026.

Two doses are essential for full protection, with the second dose given a minimum of 4 weeks after the first.

Where possible, both doses should be completed before starting university or college. This is a time-limited offer. First doses will continue to be offered until 31st December 2026 and second doses offered until 31st March 2027.

How to get the vaccine in Fife

Fife residents in the DOB age range above who are eligible for the vaccine should look out for letter inviting them to attend an appointment. If the time, date or venue is not suitable please call 01592 648048 to rearrange. Alternatively, those eligible can instead attend one of the open access clinics listed below. If you are eligible and have not received a letter by 06 July 2026 then please call the number above to arrange a suitable appointment.

If you were not born between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009 but are a Fife resident aged <25 years* about to enter higher education (university) for the first time in academic year 26/27 (i.e. new entrants), please call the number above to arrange a suitable appointment (please note this does not apply to first year post-graduate students or those that have been in higher education elsewhere previously).

Moving to Fife to study?

If you live outside Fife, for example elsewhere in Scotland, the UK or internationally, and are aged <25 years* and due to start university for the first time in Fife, you should arrange your MenB vaccination through your local health care service where possible. For those in Scotland please check NHS Inform for updates (Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine for young people | NHS inform ), for England the information is here, and for Wales the information is here.

This includes students coming to study at the University of St Andrews or the University of Dundee Kirkcaldy Campus.

If you are unable to arrange one or both doses before you start university in Fife, information will be available on how to access vaccination in Fife via your university.

Please see Vaccines for students | NHS inform for other information about vaccines to get before starting university.

The risk of meningococcal disease is greatest when students are first mixing, so please try to access vaccination ahead of arrival at university if possible.

More information

Further updates on the roll-out of the programme will be shared as soon as they become available.

Please continue to check NHS Inform for the latest information, including further information on the vaccine itself. Information leaflets in multiple languages and formats are also available via this page.