Nearly 90,000 young people have already received their first dose of the meningitis B (MenB) vaccine within the first two weeks of the NHS’s largest-ever catch-up vaccination campaignThe catch-up vaccination campaign began on the 20th July and is in place to protect one million eligible young people from a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection. With thousands of community pharmacies taking part and plenty of vaccine supplies available, health officials are encouraging everyone eligible to book their appointments before the new academic year begins. The importance of the MenB vaccineMeningococcal B infection can develop rapidly and cause serious illnesses, including meningitis, which is an infection of the lining around the brain, and septicaemia, also known as blood poisoning. Research shows that first-year university students face a risk of meningococcal B infection around seven times higher than people of the same age who are not attending university. Eligible 17 and 18-year-olds can book appointments through the NHS National Booking Service at participating community pharmacies, while other eligible young people can contact participating pharmacies directly.