Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at UK Health Security Agency, said he cannot “stress enough” how important it is to take the second dose, “as only then will you have strong protection against this devastating disease”.
He added: “Some do get a reaction to the vaccine but please don’t let this put you off getting your second dose. For any short-lived discomfort, it’s worth the life-saving protection against meningitis and septicaemia.”
MenB infection can cause life-threatening problems, including inflammation of the lining of the brain and sepsis, which can lead to amputations, hearing loss and brain damage. NHS England said there are hundreds of thousands of menB vaccination appointments available to patients and enough stock to vaccinate everyone who is eligible.
People aged 17 and 18 can book via the NHS National Booking Service for appointments at community pharmacies. Other eligible young people can contact a participating pharmacy to book an appointment.
Janet Morrison, chief executive of Community Pharmacy England, said the demand for the vaccine in the pharmacies has “already been high”.
“People value the convenience and accessibility of the pharmacy network for all manner of healthcare services, and satisfaction with community pharmacy continues to grow,” she added.
