Meningitis Now, the UK’s leading meningitis charity, has launched a new campaign today (10th June 2025) to address the increasing cases of MenB among young people. The campaign, titled “No Plan B for MenB,” aims to raise awareness about the lack of available vaccines for teens, who are at a higher risk of contracting the disease.
While there are effective and life-saving vaccines against MenB, they are not currently offered to teenagers in the UK. The charity is calling for changes to be made and is being supported by its Ambassador, TV presenter Seema Jaswal, who herself experienced meningitis as a teenager. A group of families who have been affected by the disease are also showing their support.
Speaking about her experience, Seema Jaswal said, “I know firsthand the impact meningitis can have on the lives of young people. Meningitis Now receives daily calls from families who have been devastated by the disease. Our campaign, No Plan B for MenB, aims to protect those in the prime of their lives from this deadly disease.”
The charity’s campaign has three key points:
– The MenB vaccination to be offered to all those at the highest risk of contracting the disease.
– A MenB booster program to protect adolescents starting in 2030.
– Availability of the MenB vaccination at a fair price in high street shops.
Meningitis is a serious illness caused by meningococcal group B bacteria and can result in life-changing after-effects, including limb loss, hearing loss, and brain injury. Unfortunately, one in ten people who contract bacterial meningitis will die as a result.
According to the latest reported statistics (2023-24), 27% of all MenB cases in the UK were found in people aged 15-24 years old. This age group is at risk of contracting MenB, but many are unaware that they are not vaccinated. While the UK has a vaccination program to protect against MenB, it has only been offered to babies and infants since 2015, leaving teenagers and young people vulnerable.
Dr. Tom Nutt, the charity’s Chief Executive, stresses the importance of vaccinations in preventing meningitis. He said, “Vaccines are the best way to protect against meningitis. There is no plan B for MenB. We must vaccinate those most vulnerable to protect them – now.”
“We are urging the government, NHS, and industry to reconsider the effectiveness of these vaccines and make them more widely available at a fair price.”
Meningitis Now is calling on supporters to join the campaign by signing up on their website, www.meningitisnow.org. One family who has experienced the devastating effects of MenB is Kate Speirs and her daughter Sophia, 19, from Hertfordshire. Sophia came close to losing her life to MenB while at university.
“Sophia received all the recommended vaccines as a baby and at school. But like many, we were unaware that MenB is not currently offered on the NHS to teenagers,” said Kate.
As a result of MenB, Sophia now lives with permanent hearing loss in one ear. Kate hopes that through this campaign, more cases like Sophia’s can be prevented.
The charity is available for interviews and can provide case studies upon request. For more information on the No Plan B for MenB campaign, please visit www.meningitisnow.org.
ENDS
