Teenagers from 15 should be given free MenB vaccine, say UK experts
UK health experts are recommending that all 15-year-olds receive a free meningitis B (MenB) vaccine to combat rising infection rates. The government must now decide whether to fund this program through the NHS following a recent outbreak in Kent.
Why it matters
This policy change could significantly reduce the incidence of a rare but life-threatening disease among the adolescent population.
Image source, Getty Images By Michelle Roberts Digital health editor Published 16 minutes ago All teenagers should be offered a free vaccine against meningitis B (MenB) at around the age of 15, UK experts are now recommending - a change to previous advice.
It follows concerns over the UK's largest and fastest growing outbreak that happened in Kent earlier this year.
As a precaution, a one-off vaccination campaign is already being launched around the UK this summer for young people heading off to university for the first time , among some others.
Advisers are asking the government to consider introducing MenB jabs routinely for secondary school-aged people to better protect them against a disease that can be deadly.
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