FREE on the NHS for eligible students

Meningitis B vaccination in Oxford

A new one-off NHS programme makes the MenB vaccine free for Year 13s and new university starters this summer. Not eligible? Book privately at any of our four Oxford branches.

The free NHS programme

One-off and time-limited for summer 2026, in response to recent rises in meningococcal cases. Delivered free through community pharmacies.

Who qualifies

Year 13 students (born 1 Sep 2007 – 31 Aug 2008), and under-25s starting university or residential further-education accommodation for the first time this autumn - including international students.

Two doses

The course is two doses, given at least 28 days apart. First doses are available now at MediPill Pharmacies.

How to book

Book your free NHS MenB appointment directly with the NHS - online, via the NHS App, or at any MediPill branch.

NHS or private - at a glance

Free NHS programmePrivate at MediPill
CostFree£130 per dose · £260 course
Who it’s forYear 13s & under-25s starting university this autumnAnyone else who wants protection
DosesTwo, at least 28 days apartTwo, at least 28 days apart
AvailableNow openNow – book today
How to get itBook on the NHS – online or via the NHS AppBook online in minutes
NHS

MenB vaccine for university students and Year 13s: do you qualify?

Two quick questions. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere - the answer appears right here.

NHS programme · now open

Book your free NHS MenB

The free NHS MenB vaccine is now bookable. Book your appointment directly with the NHS - it takes a couple of minutes.

Official NHS service
Booked in a couple of minutes

Free for eligible Year 13s and new university starters. No GP referral needed.

1Tap Book free on the NHS to open nhs.uk
2The NHS confirms your eligibility
3Choose a MediPill branch (by postcode) and a time that suits you
Book free on the NHS →

Opens the official nhs.uk MenB booking service · free for eligible groups.

Asked for your nearest pharmacy? Enter a MediPill postcode:
Botley OX2 9TJHeadington OX3 9JASummertown OX2 7HQDeddington OX15 0SW
Private course · £130 per dose

Private MenB at MediPill

Not in the NHS group? A private two-dose course is available at Botley, Headington, Summertown and Deddington.

DoseSchedulePrice
Dose 1Day 0£130
Dose 2At least 28 days later£130
Full courseTwo visits£260

A short consultation and suitability check applies, and the vaccine is given by a pharmacist. Prices are published in full - no hidden extras.

Schools and groups: we run on-site sessions - ask us about on-site sessions.

Know the signs of meningitis

Serious illness is rare but develops quickly. These symptoms need urgent attention:

  • Meningitis

    Know the signs

    Serious illness is rare but develops quickly. These symptoms need urgent attention.

    Swipe or tap the arrows →

  • Symptom

    High fever

    A sudden high temperature with cold hands and feet.

  • Symptom

    Stiff neck

    Unable to touch chin to chest without pain.

  • Symptom

    Light hurts

    Unusual dislike of bright light.

  • Symptom

    Non-fading rash

    A rash that does not fade under a glass.

  • How to check

    The glass test

    Press the side of a clear glass firmly against the rash. If you can still see the spots through the glass, get medical help straight away.

  • How to check

    On darker skin

    On brown and black skin the rash can be harder to see - check paler areas such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

  • Symptom

    Confusion

    Drowsiness, confusion or unresponsiveness.

  • Act fast

    Call 999 or NHS 111

    If these symptoms appear, call 999 or NHS 111 immediately.

    Do not wait for a rash - it can appear late, or not at all.

  • Prevention

    Get protected

    The MenB vaccine helps protect against meningococcal group B, one of the main causes of meningitis in the UK.

    Check if you qualify →
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If these symptoms appear, call 999 or NHS 111 immediately. For full clinical guidance see nhs.uk, or speak to any MediPill pharmacist.

Watch: the MenB programme explained

★★★★★  4.8 · 200+ Google reviews across our four Oxford branches

Botley

9 Westway Square, OX2 9TJ

Headington

207 London Road, OX3 9JA

Summertown

227 Banbury Road, OX2 7HQ

Deddington

The Studio, Hudson St, OX15 0SW

Your questions answered

Students in Year 13 (born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008), and anyone under 25 who is starting university or moving into residential further-education accommodation for the first time this autumn – including international students arriving in September.

Yes – for the eligible groups it is an NHS programme with no charge. You can book directly with the NHS and get vaccinated at a participating community pharmacy.

Two doses, given at least 28 days apart. First doses are available now.

At participating community pharmacies. Book directly with the NHS online or via the NHS App, then get vaccinated at a participating pharmacy.

You can book a private two-dose course at MediPill – £130 per dose at our Botley, Headington, Summertown or Deddington branches, after a short suitability check with the pharmacist.

Yes – we run on-site sessions for schools and groups. Contact any branch to discuss arrangements.

Eligible Year 13 students and new university starters can book the free NHS MenB vaccine at any of our four Oxford branches – Botley, Headington, Summertown and Deddington – online or by calling your nearest branch. Not eligible for the NHS programme? Private MenB appointments can be booked online at the same branches.

Weighing it up first? Read our pharmacist-written guide: The MenB vaccine: who needs it, NHS vs private.

Private MenB vaccination is £130 per dose at MediPill, and a full course is two doses given at least 28 days apart. If you are in Year 13 or starting university for the first time, you may qualify for the free NHS programme instead – check the eligibility section above.

All four MediPill branches offer MenB vaccination: Botley (9 Westway Square), Headington (207 London Road), Summertown (227 Banbury Road) and Deddington (Hudson Street). Choose whichever is most convenient when you book – appointments are usually available within days.

Yes, and it may be free. The NHS offer covers anyone in Year 13 (born 1 September 2007 to 31 August 2008), and anyone under 25 starting university or residential further education for the first time this autumn – including if you deferred your place or took a gap year. First doses are available until 31 December 2026 and second doses until 31 March 2027. If you are 18 but not in those groups, you can have it privately here.
No vaccine has been shown to. UK public health guidance says protection from a completed 2-dose course lasts at least 5 years; longer-term data are not yet available. You need both doses, at least 4 weeks apart, for that protection.

Two ways to get protected

Check if you qualify for the free NHS dose - or book a private course today.