Young people across mid and west Wales offered MenB vaccination

2 July 2026

Young people across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire will be invited to receive the MenB (meningococcal B) vaccination as part of a targeted national programme.

Hywel Dda University Health Board will begin sending appointment letters from 3 July 2026 to those aged 17 and 18 who were born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008.

The vaccination helps protect against meningococcal B disease, a rare but serious bacterial infection that can lead to meningitis and septicaemia.

Eligible young people will be offered two doses of the MenB vaccine, with the first appointments available from late July and the second dose given four weeks later to ensure the best possible protection.

Vaccination clinics for those with appointments will be held across the three counties, and details of the times and locations will be included in individual appointment letters.

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Meningococcal group B disease is a serious, often life-threatening illnesses. Teenagers and adolescents are at higher risk for a number of factors, including because being around lots of new people in shared living spaces like university halls increases the spread of the infection. 

“This vaccination programme, with two doses of the MenB vaccine, is an important step in protecting young people across our communities, especially as many are preparing to start college or university and may be living and socialising in new environments.

“I strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to take up the offer when invited and to make sure they receive both doses of the vaccine for the best protection. Getting vaccinated is quick, safe and the most effective way to reduce the risk of this potentially life-threatening infection.”

Additional groups eligible

The vaccine will also be available to a wider group of young adults under 25 who:

• were born on or after 21 July 2001 (and turning 25 on or after 21 July 2026), and
• are starting higher education or residential further education for the first time from Autumn 2026, including international students.

People in this group will not receive a letter. Instead, they are asked to contact the Health Board after 20 July 2026 by calling 0300 303 8322 or emailing ask.hdd@wales.nhs.uk to find out where they can get vaccinated locally.

To help manage demand, people are asked not to contact the Health Board before this date.

Those attending university or college for the first time will be asked to bring evidence of their offer when they attend their vaccination appointment.

Further information

Further updates will be available on the Health Board website here: MenB (meningococcal B) vaccination - Hywel Dda University Health Board (opens in new tab)

For more information about meningococcal disease and its symptoms, visit MenB vaccine for young people - Public Health Wales (opens in new tab)