More than 4,500 in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have come forward in the first two weeks of the NHS programme. The vaccine protects against the potentially deadly meningococcal group B bacteria, which can cause life-threatening illnesses such as meningitis and septicaemia. More than 4,500 young people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight come forward for meningitis vaccine in first two weeks. The time-limited programme offers two doses of the MenB vaccine to eligible young people. Dr Hutchings said: "Starting university or college is an exciting time, but it also means living, studying and socialising closely with lots of new people.