NHS Forth Valley has encouraged eligible young people in Falkirk and across the district to protect themselves against potentially deadly meningitis B.

Following recent outbreaks of meningitis in the UK, Forth Valley health board has launched new MenB vaccination drop-in clinics across the area.

Offered as part of a time-limited programme, the vaccine will be available to some older teenagers and new students considered at higher risk of being exposed to the meningococcal group B bacteria.

The public appeal comes ahead of the new school and student year as youngsters find themselves mixing and living amongst different social groups.

Eligible are young people born between March 1, 2008, and February 28, 2009, as are all pupils who were in S6 during the 2025-26 academic year, regardless of future plans; undergraduate students aged under 25 starting their first year of university in the upcoming 2026-27 academic year; and college students below the age of 25 beginning their first college course in the 2026-2027 academic year and living in shared student accommodation.

Drop-in clinics are being held at local vaccination centres based at Falkirk Community Hospital, Stirling Health and Care Village and Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre, with dates and times available on the NHS Forth Valley website.

Meningococcal group B disease is rare but its consequences can be fatal. It can lead to meningitis, which can cause permanent damage to the brain, spinal cord and result in death. It can also cause sepsis, a potentially deadly blood poisoning that requires urgent hospital treatment.

The disease can be spread among young people through close contact, including those living in the same household, kissing, or sharing items such as drinks or vapes.

Forth Valley NHS is encouraging young people to protect themselves against meningitis B. Pic. Getty Images

placeholder image — Forth Valley NHS is encouraging young people to protect themselves against meningitis B. Pic. Getty Images

NHS Forth Valley service manager for immunisation Fiona Coan explained: “All young people who are eligible are encouraged to attend a local drop-in vaccination clinic as soon as possible as two doses of the vaccine, given at least four weeks apart, are required to provide full protection.

Details of how to get the MenB vaccine in other NHS Board areas can be found on the Meningococcal B vaccine for young people page on the NHS Inform website.