West Midlands university freshers urged to get MenB vaccine ahead of new academic year

West Midlands students heading to university are being urged to get vaccinated against Meningitis B (MenB) after new data showed the number of cases among young people over the last year.

The data, which comes from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) Report for England, revealed that the disease accounted for 97 per cent of IMD cases among 15 to 24-year-olds in England during 2025 to 2026.

The UKHSA is encouraging eligible school leavers and first-year university students to get both doses of the MenB vaccine before arriving on campus, where close contact in halls of residence, lectures and social settings can increase the risk of infection spreading.

The latest NHS vaccine data, which runs up to August 31, shows there had been 22,620 MenB vaccinations in the West Midlands region, as part of the time-limited vaccination programme launched in summer, and there was still time to get protected.

Emma Booth, consultant in health protection leading on vaccine preventable diseases for UKHSA in the West Midlands, said: “Starting university is an exciting milestone, but Freshers' Week and student life can bring young people into close contact with large numbers of new people, creating ideal conditions for meningococcal infection to spread.

“First-year students are seven times more at risk of meningococcal disease than people of a similar age who don’t go to university, and in some cases, the infection can be life-changing or even fatal.

“MenB is now the leading cause of meningococcal disease among young adults, and many students will not have received this vaccine as children.

“Getting vaccinated takes just a few minutes, but it could help protect against a life-threatening illness.

“It is also vital to recognise the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and seek urgent medical advice if you or a friend becomes seriously unwell.

“Early symptoms can easily be mistaken for a hangover or 'freshers' flu', so it's important not to wait to see if things improve.”

Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek urgent medical advice.

Symptoms can appear in any order and may include high temperature, cold hands and feet, vomiting, confusion, rapid breathing, muscle and joint pain, pale, mottled or blotchy skin, spots or a rash (these may be harder to recognise on brown or black skin), headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright lights, extreme drowsiness or difficulty waking and seizures (fits).

The UKHSA said invasive meningococcal disease remains a serious infection that can cause meningitis and septicaemia and can become life-threatening within hours.

From 2025 to 2026, there were 348 confirmed cases in England, including 28 deaths. In the West Midlands region there were 38 confirmed cases.

Dr Tom Nutt, chief executive of Meningitis Now, said: “Meningitis remains a very real and potentially devastating threat to young people.

“With MenB responsible for 97 per cent of cases among 15 to 24-year-olds in England last year, students cannot afford to underestimate the risk.

“The disease can strike suddenly and have life-changing consequences within hours. Vaccination remains our best defence, and we have seen too many young lives devastated by meningitis.

“If you are eligible, please come forward for both doses of the MenB vaccine before arriving at university.

“Making vaccination part of your preparations for the new academic year could help protect you from a disease that can change lives forever.”