Students offered free MenB vaccine during Welcome Week

Starting university is exciting. You'll be meeting new people, spending time in new places and, for many of you, living away from home for the first time.

While you're getting ready for Wolverhampton, there's one more important thing to add to your university checklist: Check whether you're protected against MenB.

Meningococcal B (MenB) is a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and sepsis and can become serious very quickly.

Young people can be at increased risk when starting university or moving into student accommodation because they are living, studying and socialising closely with lots of new people.

That's why we're making it easier for eligible students to get protected.

We're bringing the MenB vaccine to you

This Welcome Week, the University of Wolverhampton, working with NHS, public health and community pharmacy partners, is bringing MenB vaccination clinics directly onto our campuses.

City Campus

• Monday 14 – Friday 18 September
• 9am–5pm

Make your way to the Health Hub, located at the entrance to the Ambika Paul (MD) Building, near Harrison Library. 

 Walsall Campus

• Wednesday 16 – Thursday 17 September
• 9am–5pm

Make your way to the ASK desk in the Performance Hub (WH), and a member of the team will direct you to the clinic space.

Am I eligible?

The MenB vaccine is available as part of a time-limited NHS vaccination programme.

You may be eligible if you are:

• a young person born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, or
• born on or after 21 July 2001, starting university or certain further education colleges for the first time in autumn 2026 and living in student accommodation.

If you're eligible and haven't yet had your MenB vaccination, take the opportunity to get protected while you're on campus.

Already had your meningitis vaccine at school? Check again.

Many young people will already have received the MenACWY vaccine at school.

That's important, but MenACWY does not protect against MenB.

If you're eligible for the MenB programme, you should still come forward for your MenB vaccination.

You need two doses of the MenB vaccine, given at least 28 days apart.

If you receive your first dose during Welcome Week, you'll also be able to receive your second dose on campus.

Still need to register with a local GP?

We can help with that too.

We know there can be a lot to organise when you first arrive at university.

If registering with a local GP is still on your to-do list, we can support you with your GP registration during the same consultation when you attend for your vaccination.

That means one visit can help you get your MenB vaccination underway and tick another important job off your university checklist.

Know the signs. Look out for each other.

Vaccination is an important form of protection, but vaccines don't protect against every cause of meningitis, septicaemia and sepsis. Knowing the signs and acting quickly remains really important.

Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia can include:

• fever and/or vomiting
• severe headache
• a stiff neck
• aching or painful muscles, joints or limbs
• breathing quickly or breathlessness
• pale or mottled skin
• being very sleepy or difficult to wake
• confusion
• seizures
• sensitivity to bright light
• a blotchy rash that doesn't fade when pressure is applied.

Don't wait for a rash to appear.

Symptoms can appear in any order, and not everyone will experience every symptom.

If you feel unwell, tell someone.

If a friend, flatmate or fellow student is unwell, check in on them.

If you're concerned about your own or someone else's health, seek medical advice quickly. In a medical emergency, call 999 without delay.

Your health and wellbeing at Wolverhampton

Looking after your health and wellbeing at university goes beyond vaccinations and registering with a GP.

Our Student Life teams offer specialist advice and support throughout your time at Wolverhampton, including:

• Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion
• Support to Study
• Safeguarding
• Student Money

You don't have to wait until something becomes difficult to find out what's available.

Whether you need support now, want some advice, or simply want to know where to turn should you need us later, take a few minutes to explore our Student Life services.

Explore Student Life and find the support available to you: Student Life - University of Wolverhampton

Make health and wellbeing part of getting uni ready

As you prepare to join us:

✓ Check your vaccinations
✓ Register with a local GP – or let us help you when you visit the clinic
✓ Know the signs of meningitis
✓ Look out for your friends and flatmates
✓ Know where to find support if you need it

And, if you're eligible:

Get protected against MenB.

City Campus | 14–18 September | 9am–5pm
Health Hub – entrance to Ambika Paul (MD) Building

Walsall Campus | 16–17 September | 9am–5pm
Go to the ASK desk in the Performance Hub, and we'll direct you to the clinic.

Get uni ready. Get protected. Get connected. 

Find more vaccine and health advice and useful information on the online Health Hub