Teenagers from 15 should be given free MenB vaccine, say UK experts
Summary
UK health experts recommend offering a free meningitis B (MenB) vaccine to all teenagers around age 15 to better protect them against a serious and sometimes deadly illness. This follows a recent outbreak in Kent and current efforts to vaccinate young people going to university.Key Facts
- Meningitis B (MenB) can cause dangerous infections like brain inflammation and blood poisoning.
- The disease can lead to amputations, hearing loss, brain damage, or death.
- Babies in the UK have received the MenB vaccine since 2015, but teenagers older than 11 have not.
- Experts now advise giving two doses of the MenB vaccine to all 15-year-olds.
- This advice reverses previous guidance that did not recommend this vaccination for teens.
- The infection spreads through close contact, such as kissing or sharing drinks and vapes.
- A one-time vaccine campaign is underway this summer for first-year university students.
- The UK government will decide if they will pay for this vaccine through the NHS for secondary school students.
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