More than 4,500 young people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have already come forward for a new NHS vaccination programme offering protection against meningitis B in the first two weeks of the drive. The time-limited programme offers eligible young people two doses of the MenB vaccine, helping protect against meningococcal group B (MenB) bacteria, which can cause life-threatening illnesses including meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). Toby Wardle (pictured below), 18, from Hampshire, who is hoping to study pharmacology at the University of Southampton, from September, has already received his first MenB vaccination. The MenB vaccine is different from the MenACWY vaccine routinely offered to teenagers in secondary school. For more information about the MenB vaccination programme, eligibility and how to get vaccinated, visit NHS.uk page for vaccinations or ring the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Vaccination Helpline on 0300 561 0018, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.