Meningitis B vs MenACWY Vaccine: What Is the Difference and Which Do You Need?
Medically reviewed by The Online GP by The Wellness Medical Team — Last updated: 19 March 2026
MenB and MenACWY are two completely different vaccines that protect against different strains of meningococcal bacteria. MenACWY (the vaccine most teenagers received at school) covers groups A, C, W, and Y. MenB (Bexsero) covers group B — the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK and the strain confirmed in the 2026 Kent outbreak. Having one does not protect you against the strains covered by the other. If your child received MenACWY at school but was born before 2015, they are not protected against meningitis B and should consider private vaccination.
Check Your Vaccination Status With a Doctor — WhatsApp → | Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com
Why This Distinction Matters Right Now
The March 2026 Kent meningitis outbreak has been confirmed as meningococcal group B (MenB). This is critical because the vast majority of current university students and teenagers have received the MenACWY vaccine through the NHS school programme — and many understandably believe they are protected against meningitis. They are not protected against MenB.
As the Health Secretary stated in Parliament on 17 March 2026, the MenB vaccine has been available on the NHS since 2015 as part of routine childhood immunisations, "but clearly most students would not be vaccinated." This is because only infants born since May 2015 are covered by the NHS MenB programme. The oldest children vaccinated against MenB on the NHS are currently approximately 10 years old — not yet at university.
This gap in protection is the reason the Kent outbreak has been so devastating for the student population, and it is the reason the JCVI has been asked to reconsider MenB eligibility for adolescents and young adults.
Understanding the Five Main Meningococcal Strains
Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, which exists in several distinct serogroups. The five groups most relevant to human disease in the UK and globally are A, B, C, W, and Y. Each group is different enough that vaccination against one does not provide protection against the others.
Group B is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK, accounting for over 80% of laboratory-confirmed meningococcal cases historically. It is the strain responsible for the 2026 Kent outbreak. Group B has historically been the most difficult to develop a vaccine against because its outer surface closely resembles human tissue, making it harder for the immune system to recognise as a threat.
Group C was the most common cause of meningitis in the UK before the MenC vaccine was introduced in 1999. Since then, cases have dropped dramatically. MenC protection is now included in the MenACWY vaccine.
Groups A, W, and Y are less common in the UK but remain significant globally. Group A is the predominant cause of epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa's "meningitis belt." Group W caused a notable increase in UK cases in the mid-2010s, which was one of the drivers for replacing the old MenC-only school vaccine with the broader MenACWY vaccine.
The Two Vaccines Compared
Understanding exactly what each vaccine covers, who receives it, and how it works is essential for assessing your own protection.
MenACWY vaccine is known by the brand names Nimenrix and MenQuadfi. It protects against meningococcal groups A, C, W, and Y using a conjugate vaccine technology. It is offered free on the NHS to teenagers at approximately age 14 (usually in Year 9 or 10) and to anyone up to age 25 entering university for the first time. It requires a single dose and provides protection for approximately 5 years. It is also required for travellers to Saudi Arabia for Hajj/Umrah.
MenB vaccine is known by the brand name Bexsero (manufactured by GSK). It protects against meningococcal group B using recombinant protein technology — four separately produced protein antigens combined with outer membrane vesicles. It is offered free on the NHS only to babies (at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 12 months, introduced September 2015) and to individuals with specific high-risk medical conditions. Adults and children aged 11+ require two doses, given at least one month apart (optimally at 0 and 6 months). A second MenB vaccine, Trumenba (manufactured by Pfizer), is also licensed in the UK for those aged 10 and over.
The critical point: These vaccines use different technologies, target different bacterial components, and protect against entirely different strains. Having one provides absolutely no cross-protection against the strains covered by the other. You need both for comprehensive protection.
Who Has Which Vaccine — A Quick Guide by Age
The most common source of confusion is not understanding which vaccines you or your child have actually received. Here is a straightforward guide based on birth year.
Born before September 1999: You will not have received any routine meningococcal vaccine on the NHS (MenC was introduced in 1999, though a catch-up programme was offered). You may have received MenC or MenACWY subsequently. You are almost certainly unvaccinated against MenB.
Born between 1999 and May 2015: You will likely have received MenC (if born before approximately 2013) or MenACWY (from approximately 2013 onwards, with the switch from MenC to MenACWY for school-age vaccination). You are almost certainly unvaccinated against MenB.
Born on or after 1 May 2015: You should have been offered MenB as an infant (8 weeks, 16 weeks, 12 months) on the NHS. You will also receive MenACWY at age 14. You may be the first generation with comprehensive protection against all five main strains — provided you completed both vaccination schedules.
If you are uncertain about your vaccination status, check your personal health record (the "red book" for children) or contact your GP surgery. You can also book a vaccination review with The Online GP by The Wellness, and our doctors will assess your records and recommend any outstanding vaccines.
Book a Vaccination Review — WhatsApp →
Can Both Vaccines Be Given Together
Yes. MenB and MenACWY can be administered at the same appointment with no interaction between them. In clinical practice, they are commonly given in opposite arms during the same visit. There is no evidence that giving both together reduces the effectiveness of either vaccine or increases the risk of side effects beyond what would be expected from each vaccine individually.
For university students and young adults who have received MenACWY but not MenB, a single visit to The Online GP by The Wellness can address the gap — subject to vaccine availability.
The NHS Eligibility Gap
The current NHS vaccination schedule creates a significant gap in MenB coverage for teenagers and young adults.
Infants (born since May 2015): Covered — MenB given at 8, 16 weeks, and 12 months.
Teenagers (approximately age 14): MenACWY given in school — but NOT MenB.
University students (up to age 25): MenACWY available free on NHS if not previously vaccinated — but NOT MenB.
Adults over 25: No routine NHS meningococcal vaccination of any type.
High-risk medical conditions (any age): Both MenACWY and MenB available free on NHS.
This means there is a cohort of millions of teenagers and young adults — the very age group at second-highest risk — who have MenACWY protection but no MenB protection. The Kent outbreak has made this gap starkly visible. The Health Secretary has asked the JCVI to re-examine eligibility, but as of March 2026, no change has been announced.
Until NHS eligibility expands, private vaccination is the only route for this group.
How to Get Protected at The Online GP by The Wellness
MenACWY: Check whether you are eligible for a free NHS vaccine first (teenagers, university entrants up to age 25). If you are not eligible, we can provide private MenACWY vaccination at our Marylebone clinic. Contact us to check availability and pricing.
MenB (Bexsero): Due to the national shortage following the Kent outbreak, we are operating a waiting list. Pricing starts from £495 per dose (full course from £990). Contact us to register and we will notify you as soon as stock is available.
Complete vaccination review: Not sure what you have and what you need? Book a vaccination review appointment with one of our GMC-registered doctors. We will assess your records, identify gaps, and create a personalised catch-up plan covering meningitis, travel vaccines, HPV, and everything else.
Same-day GP appointments are also available from £49 for any health concern.
Join MenB Waiting List — WhatsApp →
Book a Vaccination Review — WhatsApp →
Or email team@thewellnesslondon.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between MenB and MenACWY?
Completely different vaccines covering different strains. MenACWY protects against groups A, C, W, Y. MenB (Bexsero) protects against group B — the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK. Having one does not protect against the other.
Which vaccine did my child get at school?
MenACWY (Nimenrix or MenQuadfi). It does NOT cover MenB.
Do I need both vaccines?
Yes, for comprehensive protection against all five main meningococcal strains.
Which strain caused the Kent outbreak?
Meningococcal group B (MenB) — covered by Bexsero, NOT by MenACWY.
Can I get MenACWY on the NHS?
Yes, if you are a teenager (age 14) or entering university (up to age 25). Otherwise, it is available privately.
Can I get MenB on the NHS?
Only for babies (born since 2015) and those with specific high-risk conditions. Most teenagers, students, and adults must access it privately.
Can both vaccines be given together?
Yes, at the same appointment with no interaction.
The Online GP by The Wellness provides private doctor-led healthcare from our Marylebone clinic. Contact us on WhatsApp at +44 7961 280835 or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.
If you suspect meningitis symptoms, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
References
UK Health Security Agency. Cases of invasive meningococcal disease notified in Kent. GOV.UK. Updated 18 March 2026.
Streeting W. Secretary of State update to the House on meningitis outbreak. GOV.UK. 17 March 2026.
NHS. MenACWY vaccine overview. NHS.uk. Updated 2025.
Meningitis Now. FAQs on the MenB vaccine (Bexsero). Updated 2026.
GSK. Bexsero Summary of Product Characteristics. Electronic Medicines Compendium. 2025.
European Medicines Agency. Bexsero EPAR. Updated 2025.
