The meningitis B vaccine is one of the most commonly overlooked gaps in adult vaccination. Most people assume that if they missed it as a child, it simply isn’t available to them — or that meningococcal disease is something only young children face. Neither is true. Adults of any age can contract meningitis B, the NHS does not offer Bexsero to most adults, and private vaccination at Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic takes two doses and around six weeks to complete.
This page explains who should get the MenB vaccine as an adult, who may qualify for NHS vaccination, how the two-dose Bexsero course works, and how to book privately at Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic at 129 Bruntsfield Place.
Meningitis B vaccine for adults — at a glance
- Vaccine: Bexsero (meningococcal group B)
- Doses: two, given at least one month apart
- NHS availability: not routinely available to adults — NHS covers babies and specific high-risk medical groups only
- Private course: available at Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic; no GP referral needed
- Who needs it: adults with no prior MenB vaccination, those with certain medical conditions, travellers to high-risk regions, and those who had MenACWY but not MenB
- Cost: see our vaccine prices page or our full MenB cost guide
- Where: Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic, 129 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4EQ
- Booking: online, with an Independent Prescriber pharmacist consultation included
⚠ Most adults have no protection against meningitis B
The NHS Bexsero programme started in 2015 and covers babies only. Unless you received a private course, or were vaccinated as part of a clinical trial or outbreak response programme, the chances are you have no immunity against meningococcal group B — the strain responsible for the majority of bacterial meningitis cases in the UK.
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🏆 Travel Health Clinic of the Year — Pharmacy Business Awards 2025. Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic (Bruntsfield Pharmacy) was named the best travel health clinic in the UK.
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Why most adults have no protection against meningitis B
Meningococcal group B (MenB) is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK, responsible for roughly 60% of all meningococcal cases. Despite this, the NHS MenB vaccination programme covers only babies — who receive Bexsero at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and one year of age. The programme began in September 2015.
The practical consequence is that the overwhelming majority of adults in the UK today — everyone born before 2015, and many born after it who are now older children or teenagers — have never been vaccinated against meningococcal group B. There is no NHS catch-up programme. There is no school-age booster. Adults who want MenB protection must arrange it privately.
This is not because adults are at low risk. Meningococcal disease can occur at any age. While infants and young adults see the highest incidence rates, adults in all age groups are susceptible — and for those with certain medical conditions, the risk is substantially elevated. Adults with asplenia (absent or non-functioning spleen), complement deficiencies, or conditions that compromise the immune system can face a risk of invasive meningococcal disease many times higher than the general population.
Who should get the MenB vaccine as an adult?
The following groups should particularly consider a private Bexsero course. This list covers both those who are at elevated risk because of their circumstances, and those who simply have no existing MenB immunity and want to address that gap.
Adults who should consider private Bexsero vaccination
- Adults with no prior MenB vaccination — if you were born before 2015 and have not been vaccinated privately, you have no MenB immunity; this applies to virtually all adults currently in their 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond
- Adults who received MenACWY but not MenB — MenACWY covers groups A, C, W and Y only; it provides no protection against group B, which causes the majority of UK meningococcal cases; Bexsero is needed separately to close that gap
- University students and young adults in shared accommodation — the elevated carriage rates and close-contact living environments that make freshers week a high-risk period apply to any adult in a similar environment for the first time; see our dedicated meningitis B vaccine for university students page
- Travellers to sub-Saharan Africa and other high-risk regions — the ‘meningitis belt’ of sub-Saharan Africa has historically high meningococcal incidence; while MenACWY is the primary travel vaccine for this region, MenB protection is an additional consideration; our pharmacists can advise on the appropriate vaccines for your destination
- Adults with healthcare or laboratory exposure risk — those working with Neisseria meningitidis in microbiological settings, or certain clinical roles with occupational exposure risk
- Anyone wanting comprehensive meningococcal protection — for those who have had MenACWY and want to ensure they are protected against the most common UK strain as well
Adults who may qualify for NHS MenB vaccination
A smaller group of adults with specific medical conditions may be eligible for NHS-funded MenB vaccination through their GP or specialist. It is worth checking NHS eligibility before booking privately if any of the following apply to you.
ℹ Medical conditions that may qualify for NHS MenB vaccination
- Asplenia or splenic dysfunction — including those who have had a splenectomy or have a condition causing reduced splenic function (such as sickle cell disease)
- Complement deficiencies — including deficiencies in C3, C5–C9, properdin, factor D, or factor I, and those taking complement inhibitors such as eculizumab or ravulizumab
- HIV infection — adults living with HIV may be eligible; discuss with your HIV specialist or GP
- Occupational risk — microbiologists with potential exposure to Neisseria meningitidis
If you fall into one of these groups, contact your GP or specialist first. For all other adults, private vaccination is the route to MenB protection. Our Independent Prescriber pharmacists will clarify eligibility and advise accordingly at your consultation.
MenACWY vs MenB — understanding the difference
The distinction between MenACWY and MenB is one that causes significant confusion, and it matters for your protection.
MenACWY vaccines (such as Nimenrix or Menveo) cover meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y. The NHS offers MenACWY to teenagers and first-time university students. MenACWY is also the primary recommended travel vaccine for sub-Saharan Africa and Saudi Arabia (for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims). If you have had a meningococcal vaccine in the last 10–15 years, it was almost certainly MenACWY.
Bexsero (MenB) covers meningococcal group B only — the strain responsible for approximately 60% of meningococcal cases in the UK. The two vaccines are not interchangeable and do not overlap in the protection they provide. Having had MenACWY does not mean you have MenB protection.
| Vaccine | Strains covered | NHS for adults? | Available privately? |
|---|---|---|---|
| MenACWY | Groups A, C, W, Y | ✓ Yes — teenagers & students | ✓ Yes |
| Bexsero (MenB) | Group B (≈60% of UK cases) | ✗ Babies & high-risk groups only | ✓ Yes — here at EVC |
Many adults choose to get both vaccines as part of a comprehensive vaccination review. Our pharmacists can assess your vaccination history at the consultation and advise on which vaccines are relevant to you, including MenACWY if you have not had it.
How the two-dose Bexsero course works for adults
Adults and older teenagers who have not previously been vaccinated against MenB require two doses of Bexsero to complete the primary course. The two doses must be given at least one month (28 days) apart. There is no upper age limit for the vaccine.
- Book your first appointment Book online at Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic. Your appointment includes a consultation with one of our Independent Prescriber pharmacists, who will review your health history, confirm suitability, answer any questions and administer the first dose. The appointment takes around 15–20 minutes.
- Dose 1 — administered at your first appointment Bexsero is given as an injection in the upper arm. You are asked to wait briefly after administration as standard practice. Common side effects (injection site soreness, mild fatigue, headache) are explained at the appointment and typically resolve within one to two days.
- Wait at least 28 days The minimum interval between the two doses is 28 days. You can book dose 2 at the time of dose 1, or online at any point afterwards. Both appointments can be at Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic.
- Dose 2 — completing your primary course The second dose completes the two-dose primary course. Following dose 2, you have the best available protection against meningococcal group B disease. A vaccination record is provided.
⏱ If you have a specific deadline
If you are travelling, starting university, or have another date-specific reason for vaccination, book dose 1 at least five weeks before your target date. This allows the minimum 28-day interval between doses plus a few days’ margin. Our pharmacists can advise on the optimal schedule if timing is tight.
Meningitis B in adults — what the data shows
Meningococcal disease has a reputation as an illness that primarily affects very young children, and while infants do face the highest incidence rates, the data shows a clear secondary peak in teenagers and young adults — and cases occur across all adult age groups throughout life.
The disease course in adults follows the same pattern as in children: meningococcal bacteria, carried harmlessly in the nasopharynx by a proportion of the population at any time, can occasionally invade the bloodstream and cause invasive disease. The consequences of invasive meningococcal disease are severe. Around one in ten people who develop it die; one in four survivors has permanent after-effects including hearing loss, limb loss, brain injury, or cognitive impairment.
Speed of treatment is critical — but the best outcome is prevention. For adults who have never been vaccinated against MenB, a private two-dose Bexsero course is the only available route to protection.
Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic — 129 Bruntsfield Place
Book your adult MenB vaccination
Two-dose Bexsero course. Independent Prescriber pharmacists. No GP referral needed. Online booking.
Book your appointment now →What to expect at your appointment
Every Bexsero appointment at Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic is conducted by one of our Independent Prescriber pharmacists — clinicians qualified to assess, prescribe and administer vaccines without GP involvement. You are seen by the same person who reviews your suitability, answers your clinical questions and administers the dose. There is no triage, no waiting for a separate prescriber, and no outsourcing of clinical decisions.
- Clinical consultation Your pharmacist reviews your health history, current medications, previous vaccinations and any relevant medical conditions. This is the appropriate point to discuss whether you may qualify for NHS MenB vaccination, to ask about co-administration with MenACWY or other vaccines, and to raise any concerns about the vaccine or its side effects.
- Suitability confirmation and prescribing Our Independent Prescriber pharmacists can assess and prescribe Bexsero without a GP referral or prescription. If there are any reasons to delay or modify the schedule, these are discussed at this stage.
- Vaccine administration Bexsero is administered by injection, typically in the upper arm. The injection takes only a few seconds. You are asked to remain at the clinic briefly after administration as standard post-vaccination practice.
- Aftercare and dose 2 scheduling Common side effects and aftercare guidance are explained. You receive your vaccination record and a confirmed date or booking link for dose 2. The minimum interval for dose 2 is 28 days after dose 1.
Book your meningitis B vaccine appointment in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic is at 129 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4EQ — easily reached by bus from the city centre, Marchmont, Tollcross, Morningside, and the University of Edinburgh campus area. On-street parking is available on Bruntsfield Place and surrounding streets. Walk-in appointments may be available, but booking in advance is recommended to ensure your preferred appointment time.
Use the secure booking widget below to choose your appointment. If you have questions before booking, you can call the clinic directly. Our pharmacists are experienced in advising adults on their vaccination history and recommending the appropriate vaccines for their circumstances.
Meningitis B vaccine for adults — your questions answered
Can adults get the MenB vaccine on the NHS?
The NHS Bexsero programme covers babies (at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 1 year) and specific high-risk medical groups — including those with asplenia, complement deficiencies, HIV, and occupational laboratory exposure. For all other adults, MenB vaccination is not available on the NHS. Private vaccination at a clinic like Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic is the only route. If you have a medical condition that may qualify you for NHS coverage, our pharmacists can advise at your consultation — but for most adults, a private two-dose course is the appropriate option.
I had a meningitis vaccine years ago — am I already protected against MenB?
Almost certainly not. The meningitis vaccines given to most teenagers and adults in the UK have historically been MenACWY vaccines, which cover groups A, C, W and Y — not group B. If your vaccination was described as ‘meningitis’ or ‘meningococcal’ vaccine, check your vaccination records or contact your GP to confirm which type it was. MenACWY and MenB are entirely separate vaccines covering different bacterial strains. Bexsero (the MenB vaccine) was only approved for adult use in the UK in 2013 and is not routinely given; if you received it, you would likely know about it specifically.
How many doses does an adult need?
Adults and older teenagers who have not previously been vaccinated against MenB require two doses of Bexsero for the primary course. The two doses must be given at least 28 days apart. There is no single-dose option for adults. Once the two-dose course is complete, no routine booster is currently recommended for immunocompetent adults — though those in high-risk medical groups may require additional doses; our pharmacists can advise on individual circumstances.
Can I have the MenACWY and MenB vaccines at the same appointment?
Co-administration of MenACWY and Bexsero at the same appointment is possible in certain circumstances, but it is not routinely recommended due to the potential for increased reactogenicity — particularly injection site reactions and fever. Our pharmacists will review the optimal scheduling for your specific situation at the consultation, taking into account which vaccines you need, your health status, and any timing constraints.
Is there an upper age limit for the MenB vaccine?
No. Bexsero is licensed for use from two months of age with no upper age limit. Adults of any age can receive the vaccine. Older adults may have a slightly different immune response, but vaccination is appropriate and recommended for adults at elevated risk, including those with relevant medical conditions, regardless of age. Our pharmacists will review individual suitability at the consultation.
What are the side effects of Bexsero in adults?
The most common side effects in adults are soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and mild muscle aches. These typically resolve within one to two days and are similar to the side effects of most injectable vaccines. Injection site reactions tend to be more pronounced in adults than in infants. Serious allergic reactions are rare. Full aftercare information is provided at your appointment, including guidance on when to seek medical attention.
Do I need a GP referral to book?
No. Edinburgh Vaccination Clinic operates with Independent Prescriber pharmacists who can assess, prescribe and administer Bexsero without a GP referral or letter. You book directly online, and the clinical assessment is conducted at your appointment. If you have a complex medical history or are on immunosuppressive medication, it can be helpful (though not required) to bring a list of your current medications to your appointment.
I’m travelling to a high-risk area — should I get both MenACWY and MenB?
For travel to sub-Saharan Africa’s meningitis belt, MenACWY is the primary recommended vaccine and is typically the more pressing requirement. MenB is an additional consideration depending on the nature and duration of your travel. Our pharmacists can review your travel itinerary and health history at the consultation and recommend the appropriate vaccines for your trip. We also offer a comprehensive range of travel vaccines in Edinburgh for all major destinations.
About the prescriber
Ather Diab
Superintendent Pharmacist and Independent Prescriber
🏆 Pharmacists of the Year — C+D Awards 2025
🏆 Travel Health Clinic of the Year — Pharmacy Business Awards 2025
Last reviewed: 21 June 2026
