UK launches meningitis B vaccination campaign for young people
The UK has launched a vaccination campaign for meningitis B targeting young people ahead of the autumn term.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The UK has launched a vaccination campaign for meningitis B targeting around one million young people ahead of the autumn term. The move follows the largest and fastest growing outbreak of the virus in Kent earlier this year, which saw 21 cases, most among students, and two deaths.
The campaign offers the vaccine to those in the last year of secondary school and to 18 to 25 year olds heading to university or residential further education for the first time. Two doses are required, given at least 28 days apart. In England, booking began on the day of the announcement, with first appointments available from the following Monday. Scotland has already started its programme, Wales is sending out invitations with first doses from next week, and Northern Ireland is expected to publish details soon.
However, the rollout has been hit by stock shortages. Hundreds of pharmacists have been forced to cancel their first appointments because they have not received deliveries of the vaccine. One pharmacist in Hampshire said he had to cancel 20 to 30 appointments a day and did not know when supplies would arrive. The NHS and the Department of Health acknowledged a huge response to the programme and said they do have supplies, adding that they are working with pharmacies to speed up deliveries.
The campaign was driven in part by the case of Aaron, an 18 year old who died from meningitis B in January after falling ill just after Christmas. His father, Anthony, has campaigned for greater awareness and protection, saying the only thing that would have saved his son was a vaccine. The family's efforts gained momentum in March when students in Kent were offered vaccination after the outbreak there.
Health officials stress that the risk of meningitis rises when young people mix closely in new environments such as university halls of residence. They are urging eligible individuals to come forward and get vaccinated before the start of the autumn term.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One | ITV |
|---|---|---|
| Around a million young people are being offered a meningitis B vaccine this month. | · | |
| Booking begins today in England for community pharmacy appointments, with first slots from July 20. | · | |
| Eligible groups are those in the last year of secondary school and those aged 18 to 25 heading to university for the first time. | · | |
| NHS stated it has supplies and is working to speed up deliveries. | · | |
| Pharmacists cancelled meningitis B vaccine appointments due to stock shortages. | · | |
| The campaign follows the largest and fastest growing outbreak of meningitis B in Kent earlier this year, with 21 cases and two deaths. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC focused on the personal story of a father whose son died from meningitis B, using it to highlight the need for the vaccine. It provided detailed information about the campaign's eligibility, scheduling, and the outbreak that prompted it, without mentioning any supply problems.
- “The only thing that would have protected Aaron was a vaccine and that's what I've campaigned for.”
- “You're mixing with a lot of new people. You're in close contact. You're in close living accommodation. That's when the risk is highest and so that's why we want this particular group of people to come forward and get vaccinated.”
ITV focused on the logistical problems with the rollout, reporting that hundreds of pharmacists had to cancel appointments due to stock shortages. It included an interview with a frustrated pharmacist and contrasted this with the NHS's assurance that supplies exist and are being distributed.
- “They are ready. They are willing here to deliver this vaccine. They just don't have the stock.”
- “We have vaccines coming in. We just don't know exactly what time and you know how soon we'll get them.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.