Thousands of pharmacies are preparing for the launch of an historic new vaccination service to protect Year 13 students and young people preparing to enter university or residential education against meningococcal B (MenB) disease following tragic outbreaks this year.
A new survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 56 per cent of pharmacies had seen a surge in bookings since the vaccination booking system opened, with a similar number seeing interest from patients, or their families, who are not eligible under the current service.
The first vaccinations of Year 13 students and others going into full time residential education will start on Monday morning.
Pharmacies have also received inquiries included students already at university or those of a secondary school age who missed out on their MenB vaccination delivered to those born after 2015 who are not eligible under the current scheme.
This is the first national NHS vaccination campaign to be delivered solely through community pharmacies and 97 per cent of pharmacies have said they would be willing to be included in more programmes aimed at teenagers and young adults, with vaccination rates falling by around a quarter for these age groups since 2018.
The NPA, who represent around 6000 independent community pharmacies, have also called on health officials to make the scheme, which was introduced as a one off, an annual programme.
A number of pharmacies already offer MenB as a private vaccine service for those not eligible on the NHS and were deluged by queries from concerned families in light of recent outbreaks in Kent, Berkshire and Dorset.
Pharmacies warned that stock needs to be in place to manage all appointments, with some pharmacies warning that they do not currently have sufficient stock allocated to meet appointments that are open on their system.
The NHS online booking system is only available to those in Year 13 (born between 1st September 2007 and 31st August 2008). Other eligible patients due to start university or residential further education for the first time in Autumn 2026 cannot book on the NHS system and need to walk-in or contact their pharmacy directly instead.
Pharmacies also called on the NHS to ensure stock is available for these walk in appointments as well as those who have booked on the NHS system.
Some pharmacies have told the NPA they have had to reduce appointments for next week until they can be sure they have been allocated sufficient supplies by the NHS to meet demand.
The NPA has urged people to be patient towards pharmacy staff as they begin the new programme this week.
Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association said:
“It was awful to hear of the tragic deaths of young people due to MenB this year and I would urge anyone who is eligible to come forward for a vaccine from their local pharmacy.
“MenB is very serious but people can be protected against more severe illness through vaccination and pharmacies are proud to be leading a campaign to help protect students embarking on university life, the first of its kind.
“It makes sense for pharmacies, who are highly accessible and on people’s doorsteps, to be able to help NHS colleagues deliver vaccinations, particular to tackle sharp drops in uptake among teenagers and young adults.
“This is a new service so people should bear with pharmacies who will do all they can to ensure stock is available.
“The NHS must make sure that pharmacies can easily access the stock they need to make the campaign a success, particularly for eligible patients who attend without an appointment.”
