Meningitis B Vaccine for University Students: What to Sort Before Freshers
Heading to university? Get the meningitis B vaccine privately in Epsom — £120 a dose, two doses, no GP wait. Book online or call 020 8393 1000.
Starting university is one of the best moments of a young person’s life. It also means moving into halls and living closely with hundreds of new people, often for the first time. That is exactly the situation where meningitis B spreads most easily, which is why the meningitis B vaccine for university students is worth sorting before term starts.
At Miles Pharmacy on 94 Chessington Road in West Ewell, we vaccinate students, teenagers and adults from across Epsom, Ewell and Surrey, with no GP wait. This is the student-focused version. For the full picture on the disease, the vaccines and the prices, see our complete meningitis B guide for Epsom. You can book online or call us on 020 8393 1000 with any questions.
Why students are most at risk
First-year students are one of the highest-risk groups for meningitis B, and it comes down to how they live. Halls of residence pack a lot of young people into shared kitchens, bathrooms and social spaces. Add freshers’ week, late nights and plenty of close contact, and the bacteria that cause meningitis B have ideal conditions to spread.
Meningitis B can move frighteningly fast. Someone can feel a bit run down in the morning and be seriously ill by the evening, and the early symptoms often look like a bad cold or freshers’ flu. That is what makes it so dangerous on a busy campus, and why getting protected beforehand matters so much.
Is it free for you on the NHS this year?
This is the first thing to check. For 2026 there is a new, one-off NHS programme that covers people finishing Year 13 this summer and under-25s starting university or residential further education for the first time this autumn. If that is you, the NHS will contact you, with first doses available from late July. Take it up if you are eligible.
But the window is narrow. It does not cover returning or second-year students, postgraduates, international students who fall outside the criteria, or anyone who misses the dates. If that is your situation, you would arrange it privately, and that is where we come in. For the full breakdown of who qualifies and who does not, see our detailed meningitis B information.
Getting protected privately, before you move in
If you are not covered by the NHS offer, private vaccination is quick, with no GP referral or waiting list. We mainly use Bexsero, the most widely used meningitis B vaccine in the UK, licensed from two months of age right through adulthood. It is a two-dose course, with the doses given at least one month apart, so there is time to fit both in before you leave for university if you start now.
The meningitis B vaccine is £120 a dose with us, so a full two-dose course is £240, with no separate consultation fee. You can read more about the vaccines we use and what they cost on our main page.
How to book at Miles Pharmacy in Epsom
Booking is simple. Choose a time online or call us, come in for your first dose, and we will plan your second before you leave so the course does not get forgotten. Many students have the first dose at home over the summer and fit the timing around their move.
If you are a parent sorting this for your son or daughter, you can book on their behalf — just bring their details. We are easy to reach from across Epsom, Ewell and Surrey.
Frequently asked questions
Do students really need the meningitis B vaccine?
Students moving into halls are a recognised higher-risk group, so it is well worth considering before term starts. Our pharmacist can talk it through with you in a few minutes. There is more detail in our full meningitis B guide.
Is it free for me when I start university?
For 2026 there is a one-off NHS offer for first-time university entrants under 25 and Year 13 leavers this autumn. If you are outside that group, such as a returning or postgraduate student, you would pay privately.
How much is it if I pay privately?
It is £120 a dose, so £240 for the full two-dose course, with no separate consultation fee.
I’m a returning or postgraduate student — am I covered?
The 2026 NHS offer is aimed at first-time entrants under 25, so returning and postgraduate students would usually arrange it privately with us.
How many doses do I need, and how long before term?
Two doses, given at least a month apart. Starting now means both can be done comfortably before you move in.
Can my parents book it for me?
Yes. A parent can book on your behalf and bring your details to the appointment.
