Young People in Fife Urged to Take Up New MenB Vaccine as Clinics Get Under Way

Young people across Fife are being encouraged to take up the offer of meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination ahead of the start of the 2026/27 academic year. This time-limited programme will protect against MenB disease through a combination of scheduled appointments and convenient open access clinics.

The MenB vaccination programme was announced by the Scottish Government, UK Government and Welsh Government on 12 June 2026 following recent meningitis outbreaks in the UK. The programme aims to protect those at higher risk of infection young people preparing to start university or college, where close contact and shared living arrangements can increase the risk of meningococcal disease.

MenB is a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). Although rare, it can develop quickly and lead to life-changing complications, including hearing loss, brain injury and limb loss.

Eligible groups for this time-limited programme include:

• Young people born between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009, and anyone who was in S6 during the 2025/26 academic year.
• Undergraduate university entrants under the age of 25 starting for the first time in the 2026/27 academic year.
• College entrants under 25 who will be living away from home in shared student accommodation for the first time.

Eligible young people in Fife are being invited for vaccination by letter. In addition, NHS Fife is offering a range of open access clinics, allowing people to attend at a time and location that suits them without needing to arrange another appointment. Details of clinic dates, venues and eligibility criteria are available on the NHS Fife website.

The programme requires two doses of vaccine, given at least four weeks apart. Where possible, both doses should be completed before starting university or college. First doses will be offered until 31 December 2026, with second doses available until 31 March 2027.

Among the first young people in Fife to receive their vaccines were best friends Keir (17) and Aidan (17) both from West Fife, who attended the opening clinic in Primrose Lane Medical Centre in Rosyth.

Keir said: “When I heard about the programme, it felt like an easy decision to get vaccinated.

“I got a letter inviting me to an appointment although I will be abroad on the date I was given so the open access clinic is much more convenient. It also means I can get my first dose before I go away and have the second before I go back to school in the autumn.

Aidan said: “Getting vaccinated at the clinic was really straightforward – it couldn’t have been easier."

“We decided to go along and get vaccinated together. We’d encourage everyone who’s eligible to take up the offer. It’s a really easy way to help protect yourself and get vaccinated over the summer break.”

Karen Nolan, Clinical Services Manager for the Immunisation Programme in Fife, said: "Meningococcal disease can be devastating for individuals and families, which is why we are encouraging all eligible young people in Fife to come forward for vaccination.

"Many young people will already have received the MenACWY vaccine at school, but that does not protect against MenB. This programme provides important additional protection at a time when many young people are preparing to move into higher education, shared accommodation or new social environments.

"We've made accessing the vaccine as easy as possible through a combination of booked appointments and open access clinics across Fife. We would encourage everyone who is eligible to take up the offer and ensure they receive both doses for the best possible protection."

Further information about the MenB vaccination programme, including open access clinics, can be found at: www.nhsfife.org/menb

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Notes to editors:

• MenB (meningococcal group B) disease can cause meningitis and septicaemia.
• The programme starts in July 2026 and is a time-limited offer, with first doses being offered until 31 December 2026 and second doses offered until 31 March 2027.
• Two doses are required, with the second dose given a minimum of four weeks after the first. · Further information is available via NHS Inform and NHS Fife's MenB webpage.

Image and caption:

Best friends, Keir (seated) and Aiden (standing), from West Fife were some of the first young people in Fife to receive the new MenB vaccine. They were given the vaccine by Staff Nurse, Kirsteen, after attending a clinic at Primrose Lane Medical Practice in Rosyth on Monday 06 July 2026 - [IMAGE DOWNLOAD].