Public Health to review latest advice around Meningitis B vaccine

JCVI recommends teenagers around 15 should be offered jab

Public Health Isle of Man says a decision on whether to offer 15 year olds a free vaccine against Meningitis B will be put to a review.

Experts in the UK - the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation - have advised that a routine programme should be introduced for those in, or around, that age group.

The Island's vaccination policy is informed by JCVI advice with local needs and circumstances taken into account.

The latest JCVI advice states: 

• A routine offer of MenBvaccine (the recommendation is for one dose of the 4CMenB vaccine) at around 15 years of age in those who were eligible for MenB vaccination in infancy (those born on or after 1 May 2015).

The committee also strongly supports an offer of two doses of MenB vaccine for:

• adolescents born on or before 30 April 2015 (‘unprimed adolescents’) at around 15 years of age.
• adolescents who would be either too young to be offered MenB vaccination as part of the one-off 2026 offer (announced 12 June 2026), or too old to be offered vaccination through the 15-year-old programmes outlined above (this would be a catch-up programme).

Public Health says it will review the latest recommendation and, if appropriate, submit a proposal to the Department of Health and Social Care for funding.

Following fatal outbreaks of meningitis B in the UK, including one in Kent which led to two deaths, greater impetus has been placed on vaccinating young adults against the aggressive bacterial strain.

In June, the Isle of Man announced a limited-time local meningitis B vaccination offer for young people ahead of the 2026 academic year.

The programme is for eligible Year 13 students and under-25s entering university or relevant residential further education settings for the first time in the next academic year. 

This latest recommendation around 15 year olds is separate, so would - if accepted - play a part in a potential future extension of the Island's MenB vaccination programme.

The Cabinet Office has confirmed that supplies of the MenB vaccine are available to support this programme.

In a statement to Manx Radio, it says 'an important thing to note is that people require two doses of the MenB vaccine for full protection and even with the two doses they are not entirely immune to the illness'.

Those who have had the vaccine are told they should still remain vigilant and be aware of the following symptoms:

• high temperature
• vomiting/diarrhoea and stomach cramps
• severe headache
• stiff neck
• dislike of bright light
• rash/bruising rash
• rapid breathing
• joint and muscle pain
• cold hands and feet
• pale blotchy skin
• confusion
• irritability
• drowsiness or difficulty waking
• seizures/fits

Early symptoms of meningitis can be similar to flu but may worsen quickly so it’s important to act fast and phone the Emergency Department if you suspect Meningitis.