Teenagers from 15 should be given free MenB vaccine, say UK experts

• UK health experts recommend extending free MenB vaccination to teenagers aged 15+ following a fatal outbreak in Kent, citing need for broader population protection beyond current infant-only programme
• Current MenB coverage limited to infants leaves adolescents and young adults vulnerable; expanding to age 15 would target a high-risk age group for meningococcal disease
• Government consideration needed to implement recommendation and determine funding, as MenB vaccine currently only offered free to babies in routine immunisation schedule

Advisers are asking the government to consider introducing MenB jabs following concerns over an outbreak in Kent earlier this year, in which two people died.

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