Meningitis

​Meningitis B vaccination​ clinic ​​​​​​​​update

​Further to the recent UK health authority announcement regarding a new, time-limited M​enB vaccine offer, this offer will be extended to Jersey and will be available this summer for Year 13 students and under 25s who will be starting university as undergraduates or moving into residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026. 

You can check eligibility guidelines below. 

The programme has been introduced in response to recent meningitis outbreaks in the UK​ while a full review of the evidence by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is underway.   

Eligible students will need 2 doses of the MenB vaccine for protection, with the first being offered from early July and the second dose from August. 

Who is eligible​

​The Meningitis B Vaccination will be offered to individuals in the following categories:​

• ​young adults in the school year 13 age group (born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008)
• young people born on or after 21 July 2001 and starting as undergraduates at university for the first time in autumn 2026 
• young people born on or after 21 July 2001 living in further education accommodation or halls of residence for the first time in autumn 2026

Exclusions include: 

• those aged less than 25 years, who are not entering higher education or living in further education accommodation or halls of residence (HERFE) for the first time in the autumn term 2026, and fall outside the current year 13 age group specified above 
• postgraduates and other students who are not entering HERFE for the first time in the autumn term of 2026 
• those who have completed a 2-dose course of Bexsero within the last 5 years
• those who have completed a 2-dose (provided those doses were given at least 6 months apart) or 3-dose course of Trumenba within the last 5 years 

​​​​The vaccine programme will be managed by the Public Health Immunisation Team.

2 doses are required to achieve maximum protection and must be given at least 28 days apart.

It then takes a further 2 weeks for the body to build a good level of immunity. Therefore, the whole protection process takes around 6 weeks from start to finish, which is why it's important for those who are eligible to get a first dose as early as possible and ideally well before going into an autumn term.

Clinic dates and times

All clinics are being held in the Town Church House​ (located between Church Street and Bond S​treet).

July

August

No booking is required, individuals can attend the clinic that best suits them. It is encouraged that you attend in July for your first dose.  

When attending a clinic, bring photo ID confirming your date of birth. If a Fresher student, provide the offer letter received from university.  

If students are unable to get both doses in Jersey, they will be able to receive one or both doses once they arrive at university across home nations. However, vaccination before leaving Jersey and heading off to university or college is strongly recommended to ensure early protection. 

If students or parents have any questions or concerns, they are welcome to contact the Immunisation Team: 

• by phone at +44 (0) 1534 443741
• by email immunisationteam@health.gov.je​ ​
  

You can find more information in:

What is meningitis

Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It can affect anyone, but is most common in:

• babies
• young children
• teenagers
  
• young adults

It can be very serious if not treated quickly.

Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.​​​

Several different viruses and bacteria can cause meningitis, including: 

• meningococcal bacteria – there are several different types, called A, B, C, W, X, Y and Z 
  
• pneumococcal bacteria 
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria 
• enteroviruses – viruses that usually only cause a mild stomach infection 
• the mumps virus 
• ​the herpes simplex virus – a virus that usually causes cold sores or genital herpes 

​​​Symptoms​​

Meningitis can initially look like flu or a hangover, making it easy to miss. 

Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:

• a high temperature (fever) over 38⁰C (100.4⁰F) ​
• being sick or vomiting
• a headache
• blotchy ​rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it (a rash doesn’t always develop)
• stiff neck
• a dislike of bright lights
• drowsiness or unresponsiveness
  
• seizures (fits)

These symptoms can appear in any order and you may not always get all symptoms.​

Early symptoms can often be confused with a cold or the flu, such as fever and headache, but meningitis can progress quickly. 

Recognising the signs and treating them early can save lives. 

If you or anyone you know develop any of the symptoms, get medical help immediately.

If symptoms appear at night, you should get urgent medical advice from the Emergency Department.​

​How meningitis spreads

Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through:

• sneezing
• coughing
• kissing
• sharing drinks, bottles, cigarettes, vapes or utensils

Meningococcal disease is usually caught from people who carry the bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves. It can also be caught from someone with the disease, but it’s less common.

To reduce the risk from meningococcal bacteria you can: 

• avoid sharing drinks, bottles, cigarettes, vapes or utensils
• cover coughs and sneezes and disposing of tissues promptly
• maintain good hand hygiene, particularly after coughing or sneezing