More than one million teenagers in England have not received the meningitis vaccination, according to recent data, indicating a concerning decline in uptake rates. The MenACWY vaccine, designed to protect against four strains of meningitis, was introduced in 2015 with an initial uptake rate of 82.5% in the following year. Administered to 14 and 15-year-olds at school, the vaccine has proven to be highly effective, with over 90% effectiveness in reducing the disease and promoting herd immunity nationwide.
Recent statistics reveal a significant drop in vaccine uptake over the years since its introduction, leaving more than a million teenagers without essential doses. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported an overall uptake rate of only 75% in 2025, leaving 160,000 adolescents unprotected and 1.07 million without vaccination coverage. The MenACWY vaccine targets strains A, C, W, and Y, significantly reducing their prevalence.
Although primarily administered to teenagers, a study by Oxford University in 2022 found that the vaccine has contributed to establishing herd immunity across various age groups. The UKHSA data does not include private vaccinations, and experts emphasize the continued importance of vaccination despite the decreased prevalence of the four covered strains.
Dr. Shamez Ladhani, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, stressed the necessity for young people to avail themselves of the vaccination opportunity, citing that a substantial number of year 10 pupils remain unvaccinated, putting them at risk. Professor Matthew Snape, a lead author of the Oxford study, highlighted the benefits of the MenACWY vaccine beyond direct protection, emphasizing the role it plays in reducing the risk of meningitis and sepsis in the community.
Notably, the MenACWY vaccine does not cover meningitis B, the strain believed to be responsible for recent outbreaks. Despite this, Dr. Nelly Ninis, a consultant general pediatrician at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, expressed alarm over the low vaccination uptake, emphasizing the severity of meningococcal disease and the importance of vaccination. She underscored the fear associated with the disease, noting that many healthcare professionals opt to vaccinate their children before they attend university.