Do University Students Need the Meningitis B Vaccine?

Why Are University Students at Higher Risk?

Starting university is an exciting time. For many students, it is the first experience of living away from home, meeting large numbers of new people, and living in shared accommodation. While these experiences are an important part of university life, they can also increase exposure to infections that spread through close contact.

This is one reason why health professionals often highlight meningococcal disease, including meningitis B, as an important consideration for students preparing for university. Although meningitis B remains uncommon, young adults and university students are among the groups known to have a higher risk of infection compared with the general population.

What Is Meningitis B?

Meningitis B is a serious bacterial infection caused by meningococcal group B bacteria. The infection can lead to meningitis, which affects the lining around the brain and spinal cord, and septicaemia — a serious bloodstream infection.

While most students will never develop meningitis B, the disease can progress rapidly when it occurs and may lead to severe complications if not treated quickly. This is why prevention remains an important focus.

Why Does University Increase the Risk of Infection?

Meningococcal bacteria are spread through close contact with respiratory droplets and saliva. Many people carry these bacteria harmlessly in the back of their nose or throat without ever becoming ill — but can still pass the bacteria to others.

The first few weeks of university can be particularly important because students are mixing with large numbers of new people all at once. This increased exposure is one reason why meningococcal vaccination is strongly encouraged before starting university.

MenB and MenACWY: What’s the Difference?

Many students are familiar with the MenACWY vaccine because it is routinely offered to teenagers in the UK. However, MenACWY and MenB protect against different strains of meningococcal bacteria — receiving one does not provide protection against the other.

For some students, both vaccines may be appropriate. A consultation can help clarify which vaccinations have already been received and whether any gaps in protection exist.

Do All Students Need the MenB Vaccine?

There is no universal requirement for university students to receive the MenB vaccine. However, many students choose to receive vaccination because they fall into a group with an increased risk of exposure. Vaccination may be particularly worth considering if you:

• Are moving into university accommodation
• Will be living with large numbers of other students
• Did not receive MenB vaccination during childhood
• Want additional protection against meningococcal disease

The decision is a personal one and can be discussed with a healthcare professional.

What If I Wasn’t Vaccinated as a Child?

Many students entering university today were born before the MenB vaccine became part of the routine UK childhood immunisation programme. As a result, a large number of young adults have never received protection against meningococcal B disease.

This is one of the most common reasons students seek MenB vaccination before starting university. Parents are often surprised to learn that although younger siblings may have received the vaccine routinely, older teenagers may not have been eligible when they were infants.

When Should Students Get Vaccinated?

Ideally, vaccination should take place before arriving at university. This allows the immune system time to respond to the vaccine before increased exposure to large social groups and shared accommodation. Many students choose to arrange vaccination during the summer before starting their course.

However, vaccination can still be beneficial after university has started if protection has not previously been received.

Understanding the MenB Vaccine

The MenB vaccine used in the UK, Bexsero®, has been extensively studied and is widely used both in the UK and internationally. Like all vaccines, it can cause side effects, but these are typically mild and short-lived — such as soreness at the injection site, tiredness, or a mild fever.

What to Do Next

University is an exciting new chapter, and making sure you are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases is an important part of preparing for it. Many students and parents choose MenB vaccination because of the increased exposure that can occur in university settings and because many young adults were never offered the vaccine as children.

If you are preparing for university and would like advice about MenB vaccination, our team at The Kingston Pharmacy can help. Book an appointment today to discuss whether Bexsero® vaccination is suitable for you and receive personalised advice from one of our healthcare professionals.