What is meningitis B and why is a vaccine only being offered to some teenagers?

• Meningitis B Vaccine: Key Takeaways for Clinical Practice
• Limited NHS eligibility: Meningitis B vaccine is not routinely offered to all teenagers; only specific high-risk groups (including asplenic patients, those with complement deficiencies, and close contacts of cases) and some young people qualify for NHS funding.
• Risk stratification approach: The selective vaccination strategy reflects evidence-based assessment of disease burden and cost-effectiveness, rather than universal adolescent immunisation, prioritising protection where clinical need is greatest.
• Practice implications: GPs should identify eligible patients through clinical history (immunocompromise, asplenia) and offer vaccination appropriately, while counselling other teenagers on private purchase options if desired.

Only select groups of teenagers and some young people will be eligible for the vaccine. Here's why.

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