UKHSA warning to 580,000 Brits - ‘time running out’

Detailed summary

The UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA) has issued a warning to hundreds of thousands of Brits. The agency said "time is running out" for 580,000 people to get their first dose of…

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning to hundreds of thousands of Brits. The agency said "time is running out" for 580,000 people to get their first dose of a free vaccine. They have been given a deadline of New Year's Eve to act.

In an alert on Thursday (November 12), the UKHSA urged eligible 18 and 19-year-olds, as well as first-year university students, to come forward for their first dose of the free MenB vaccine. It comes following several outbreaks of Meningitis B this year in England, which have led to three deaths.

The UKHSA is now "concerned" over the low numbers taking up the vaccine. The free dose programme is open to all 18 and 19-year-olds born between September 1, 2007 and August 31, 2008, and to those under 25 who started university, or residential further education until December 31.

The latest health data shows that 28.2% of eligible Brits have taken up the first dose, while 68.8% of these have also had a second dose. This means that roughly 7 in 10 who have started their vaccine course have completed it.

Two doses are essential for protection with the doses needing to be given at least 28 days apart. The first dose offer will cease at the end of this year, but for those getting their first dose in time, a second dose will be available until March 31.

The UKHSA said: "Data show that young people starting at university are at increased risk of meningococcal disease due to social mixing patterns and other risk factors – with the risk for students in their first year of university around 7 times higher than young people of a similar age who do not go to university."

Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "Worryingly only just over a quarter of 18 and 19 year olds have had their first dose of the MenB vaccine and time is running out to get both doses and protect yourself from this devastating disease.

"The deadline for getting your first dose is 31 December, so please don’t leave it until the end of term or forget it…

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