Vaccination reminder for anyone born between 2007 and 2008 - 'very serious'

Vaccination reminder for anyone born between 2007 and 2008 - 'very serious' Health chiefs have issued an urgent warning to millions of teenagers in Britain Young people of certain ages in the UK are being urged by health officials to check their vaccination status immediately ahead of starting university or further education this autumn. NHS England warn that missing a vital two-dose jab could leave teenagers vulnerable to a potentially fatal strain of meningitis. In an urgent alert posted on X on Tuesday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a direct message which reads: "If you've left school this summer, you've probably got plenty to organise for what's next. But don't let that stop you from getting your second dose of the MenB vaccine." Official guidance confirms that free does are available to anyone aged 17 or 18 born between September 1, 2007 and August 31, 2008. UKHSA chiefs have highlighted than under-25s moving into residential accommodation or starting university for the very first time later this year are also eligible. However, data released by Well Pharmacy revealed an alarming low uptake, with fewer than 100,000 youngsters getting jabbed out of one million eligible students. The experts warned that only one in 10 eligible young people have received the free protection ahead of Freshers' Week. This follows a tragic UK meningitis B outbreak, including a major Kent cluster where 18-year-old student Juliette Kenny died within 24 hours of showing symptoms. Public health records from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) tracked dozens of related cases in the region, prompting emergency on-campus vaccination and antibiotic clinics for local students. Warning of rapid spread in shared halls, Wendy Lee, Deputy Superintendent Pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, said: "MenB can become serious very quickly, and vaccination is a simple way to give students and parents peace of mind. The course requires two doses given at least four weeks apart, so we encourage students and parents to book now." According to the NHS, MenB is a severe bacterial infection causing meningitis and septicaemia, proving fatal in one in ten cases. UKHSA clinicians advised that early symptoms include high fever, severe headache, confusion, stiff neck, and a non-fading rash. Charity advisers at the Meningitis Research Foundation warned that early symptoms are easily confused with freshers' flu or a hangover, making urgent medical help critical. They stressed that teenagers living in shared halls face higher bacterial carriage rates, increasing infection risks. Representatives from Well Pharmacy confirmed that free jabs are currently stocked across 435 participating branches nationwide for Year 13 school leavers and incoming freshers. NHS England urged all eligible young adults to book their two-dose appointments through official NHS online booking portals before term begins.