The NHS is being urged to revise its vaccination policy to offer the meningitis B vaccine to all teenagers aged 15 and older. Advisers speaking to the Labour Party government recommend that children receive one or two doses of the vaccine at age 15, depending on their earlier vaccination status as babies. This update would include catch-up programs for those who previously missed the vaccine.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) strongly supports administering two doses of the meningitis B vaccine to children born on or before April 30, 2015, ideally around their 15th birthday.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, chair of the JCVI, emphasized the severity of invasive meningococcal disease, describing it as a rare yet devastating illness. He noted the committee’s close collaboration with meningitis charities and acknowledged the heartfelt input from families affected by meningitis, whose experiences were integral to the decision-making process.
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Dr. Tom Nutt, CEO of Meningitis Now, called the JCVI’s recommendation a major milestone in the fight against meningitis. He highlighted the consistent advocacy for vaccinating this vulnerable age group, who remain at heightened risk for MenB disease.
“This recommendation marks an important advance in protecting more young people from this devastating illness,” Dr. Nutt said. He acknowledged the countless families affected by meningitis who have turned their grief and experiences into passionate campaigns for change.
“Today, we remember all those lost to meningitis and recognize this crucial step toward a future where no one has to suffer from this devastating disease,” he added.