These FAQs provide general information about meningitis b for students leaving for University.

There are currently no confirmed or suspected cases in Gibraltar, and the overall public health risk remains low.

For the latest updates, please visit the Gibraltar Meningitis Updates page

1. What is the Men B vaccination catch-up programme? 

The programme will offer meningococcal group B (MenB) vaccination to eligible young people from Gibraltar who are travelling abroad to study. It aims to protect students before they enter university, college or another educational setting where they may mix and live closely with many new people. 

2. Who will be eligible?

The proposed eligibility criteria are students who: 

• are aged bewteen18 and up to 24 years old;  

• are ordinarily resident in Gibraltar; and  

• will be travelling abroad for university, college or another recognised course of study.  

Supporting evidence of enrolment or acceptance onto a course abroad will be requested such as a valid in date student university ID card or an acceptance letter from the university.  

If a student is under 18 years old and travelling abroad for further education and will be living in a communal residential setting then requests for vaccines will be considered on a case by case basis. Please email health.promotion@gha.gi with name, GHA number and reason for request and these requests will be reviewed.  

3. Why is this programme being introduced?

Fortunately outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis are rare. This vaccine programme is being offered as a precautionary public health measure following the recent meningococcal meningitis outbreaks and clusters among young people in the United Kingdom. 

In March 2026, an unusually large outbreak linked mainly to students in Canterbury, Kent, resulted in 21 laboratory confirmed cases of meningococcal B disease. All the affected individuals were admitted to hospital and sadly two young people died.  

Further meningococcal meningitis clusters were subsequently identified in Weymouth and Reading. These outbreaks highlighted the increased risk that young people experience, especially in their first year of study. 

4. Why are students at increased risk?

Meningococcal bacteria can spread through close or prolonged contact. Students may be at increased risk because they often: 

• live in shared accommodation or university halls;  

• socialise closely with many new people;  

• share drinks, eating utensils or vapes; and  

• travel frequently between Gibraltar and the United Kingdom or other countries.  

The bacteria are not as easily transmitted as viruses such as influenza, but close living and social contact can facilitate their spread. 

5. What is meningococcal group B disease?

Meningococcal group B disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis group B bacteria. It can cause: 

• meningitis, an infection of the lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord; and  

• septicaemia, a serious bloodstream infection that can lead to sepsis.  

Although uncommon, meningococcal disease can develop rapidly and may cause death or permanent complications, including hearing loss, neurological damage, scarring or limb loss. 

6. What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include: 

• a high temperature;  

• severe headache;  

• stiff neck;  

• dislike of bright lights;  

• vomiting;  

• confusion, drowsiness or difficulty waking;  

• cold hands and feet;  

• rapid breathing;  

• severe muscle or joint pain; and  

• a rash that does not fade when pressed with a clear glass.  

Symptoms can appear in any order and not everyone develops a rash. Do not wait for a rash to appear. Anyone who becomes seriously unwell or is suspected of having meningitis or septicaemia requires urgent medical attention. 

7. How many doses will students need?

Two doses of the MenB vaccines are required which are given a minimum of 4 weeks apart. Students should complete the recommended course wherever possible, as one dose may not provide the intended level of protection. 

8. When should students be vaccinated?

Students should ideally complete the recommended vaccination course before travelling and before beginning their studies. We appreciate that universities have different start dates in September and some students may have to receive their second dose in the UK. To facilitate this the GHA will be providing a printout of the first dose vaccine for students to show to the NHS to help arranging their second vaccine.  

9. What if I receivedMenBvaccination as a baby or child? 

Most young people over the age of 13 years old will not have received a meningococcal B containing vaccine. Some students may have received this if they have had this privately or been part of a previous contact tracing exercise during a meningococcal B outbreak.  

If you think that you have had a previous meningococcal B containing vaccine, please provide details when making or attending an appointment. A healthcare professional will review the vaccination record and advise whether any additional doses are recommended under the catch-up programme. You may have had a different meningitis strain containing vaccine.  

10. IsMenBthe same as MenACWY? 

No. The vaccines protect against different groups of meningococcal bacteria: 

• MenB vaccine protects against meningococcal group B.  

• MenACWY vaccine protects against groups A, C, W and Y.  

Receiving MenACWY vaccination does not provide protection against MenB. Students should check that they are up to date with both vaccines where these are recommended. 

11. Is theMenBvaccine safe? 

The MenB vaccine has an established safety record. Common side effects are generally mild and short-lived and may include: 

• pain, redness or swelling at the injection site;  

• headache;  

• tiredness;  

• muscle or joint pain;  

• nausea; and  

• fever.  

Serious allergic reactions are very rare. Vaccination staff will ask about allergies and relevant medical conditions before administering the vaccine. 

12. Can the vaccine cause meningitis?

No. The MenB vaccine does not contain live meningococcal bacteria and cannot cause meningitis. 

13. Who should seek medical advice before vaccination?

Students should inform the vaccination team if they: 

• have previously experienced a serious allergic reaction to a vaccine or one of its ingredients;  

• are currently seriously unwell or have a high temperature, or taking antibiotics;  

• have a condition or treatment affecting their immune system;  

• have a bleeding disorder; or  

• are pregnant or think they may be pregnant.  

14. Does vaccination provide complete protection?

No vaccine provides 100% protection. Vaccinated students must still know about the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and seek urgent medical attention if they become unwell. This is important because other bacteria, for which there are no immunisations, may also cause meningitis.  

15. How can students reduce their risk?

In addition to vaccination, students should: 

• avoid sharing drinks, bottles, eating utensils or vapes;  

• avoid sharing items that have been in someone else’s mouth;  

• maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene;  

• check that their routine vaccinations are up to date; and  

• seek urgent medical assistance if symptoms develop.  

16. I have paid for my vaccine in a private clinic, am I eligible for a refund?

The GHA will not be offering refunds for the administration of vaccines given at a private medical facility.  If you have received a first dose in a private clinic, please bring proof of this on the day of your appointment. 

17. 17. How can students access the programme?

Vaccinations will be given on an appointment basis as the vaccination clinics that will be run at the Primary Care Centre on Wednesday 19th and Friday 21st August between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Current university students will receive a text message offering them an appointment at one of the dedicated vaccination clinics at the Primary Care Centre on Wednesday 19th and Friday 21st August between 8:30am and 4:30pm.  Those students who are waiting for their results in August or current students who have not received their appointment dates can make an appointment by calling 200 66966 Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm.  Please do not call to make an appointment until you have received your A-Level results and are in receipt of a valid offer to attend your place of study. If you are a current university student and have not received your appointment by text message, please wait until Thursday13th August before calling for an appointment. 

The GHA and Public Health Gibraltar strongly urge students not to attend for the vaccine if you are feeling unwell or are taking antibiotics.  If you are unable to attend due to ill health or if you are not in Gibraltar on the day of your appointment, please call 200 66966 to reschedule. 

 

The GHA will have a team of trained vaccinators who will be able to vaccinate approximately 50-60 students per hour. We anticipate that demand may exceed this capacity at popular times during the day. We request your support and understanding and please be advised that vaccination clinics may be running a bit late, although we will try our best to avoid any delays. 

The GHA and Public Health Gibraltar strongly urge students not to attend for the vaccine if you are feeling unwell or are taking antibiotics.