Private Meningitis B Vaccine in Preston
Protect your teenager, student or yourself against meningococcal group B with the Bexsero (MenB) vaccine, available privately at our Longridge clinic, with same-day and weekend appointments across Preston and the Ribble Valley. No GP referral needed.
- Suitable for teenagers, students and adults not covered by the NHS infant programme
- GPhC-registered pharmacists administering Bexsero
- Same-day and weekend appointments, 7 days a week
- From £140 per dose
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What Is the Meningitis B Vaccine?
The MenB vaccine (brand name Bexsero) protects against meningococcal group B, one of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning) in the UK. It is the same vaccine given in the NHS infant programme, and it trains your immune system to recognise and fight the bacteria before you are ever exposed.
The NHS only offers it free to babies, so older children, teenagers, university students and adults usually need to get it privately.
- Who it’s for: children, teenagers, students and adults not covered by the NHS infant programme.
- Doses: a 2-dose course for older children and adults, ideally 8 weeks apart (at least 4).
- Protection: strong, but not lifelong; antibody levels fall over time, so a booster may be advised if you stay at risk.
- How well it works: it has cut MenB cases sharply since being introduced for infants. No vaccine is 100%, but it is the best protection there is against group B.
- Price: £140 per dose, or £280 for the full 2-dose course at our Longridge clinic.
- Where: same-day appointments serving Preston, Longridge, Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.
Who Should Consider the MenB Vaccine?
Because the NHS only routinely vaccinates infants, there is a large group of people left unprotected. The private MenB vaccine closes that gap.
Teenagers & 18-Year-Olds
Teenagers and young adults carry and spread meningococcal bacteria more than any other age group, and most were not offered MenB as babies. Most need it privately, though eligible Year 13 leavers can get a free 2-dose course on the NHS in 2026, so check your eligibility with your GP practice first.
University Students
Living in halls raises the risk. Some 2026 school leavers and first-year starters can now get MenB free on the NHS for a limited time, so check your eligibility first. Everyone else tops up privately.
Adults
Adults can still catch meningitis B. If you missed it as a child, want extra protection, or live or work in close-contact settings, you can choose to be vaccinated privately. The NHS does not offer MenB to adults outside the infant programme.
Babies & Children Who Missed It
If your child missed their NHS MenB doses, or you would like a child older than the NHS schedule protected, we can advise on a suitable private catch-up course. Catch-up may be possible on the NHS in some cases; where it isn’t, we vaccinate privately.
Not sure if you need it? Call us on 01772 439054 or book a short consultation. Our pharmacists will check your age, vaccination history and risk factors and recommend the right course, with no obligation to proceed.
Can I Get the MenB Vaccine Free on the NHS?
It is a fair question, and we will always give you the honest answer. It comes down to your age: MenB is free for babies, but for almost everyone older, going private is the only way to get it.
Free for Babies Only
The NHS gives MenB free to babies as part of the routine childhood schedule, at 8 weeks, 16 weeks and one year. There is also a time-limited 2026 offer for some Year 13 leavers and first-year students, so it is always worth checking your eligibility with your GP practice first.
- Free for infants on the routine schedule
- Not offered to most teenagers, students or adults
- Eligibility checks and waiting times apply
Available to Everyone, Locally
If the NHS will not cover you, we give the exact same Bexsero vaccine the NHS uses, with no eligibility hoops to jump through and no waiting list. Booked around you at our Longridge clinic, and if we ever think you could get it free, we will tell you.
- No eligibility checks, open to any age
- Same-day and weekend appointments, no waiting
- The same vaccine used in the NHS programme
- Done locally on Berry Lane, at your convenience
Meningitis B Is Rare, but It Moves Fast
Meningococcal group B is a bacterial infection (not viral) that can cause meningitis, the inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord, as well as septicaemia (blood poisoning). It is one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in the UK.
It spreads from person to person through close contact: coughing, sneezing, kissing and sharing drinks or utensils. Many healthy people carry the bacteria harmlessly at the back of the nose and throat, which is exactly why it moves so easily through households, nurseries and student halls.
Key fact: what makes MenB so dangerous is the speed. A healthy person can go from feeling unwell to seriously ill within hours, and even with prompt treatment up to 1 in 10 cases is fatal.
Many survivors are left with life-changing after-effects such as hearing loss, brain injury or amputation, so vaccination is the single most effective way to lower that risk. Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 7 days of exposure, and because the early signs look so much like flu, the vaccine matters: it works before you are ever exposed.
Know the Red-Flag Symptoms
Seek emergency help, by calling 999 or going to A&E, if you or your child has:
High fever with cold hands and feet
Severe headache and a stiff neck
Dislike of bright lights
Very sleepy, confused or hard to wake
A rash that does not fade under a glass
In babies: a high-pitched cry, refusing feeds, a bulging soft spot
Do not wait for a rash: it can appear late, or not at all. Trust your instincts and act fast, call 999.
MenB Vaccine Prices
Clear, fixed pricing with no hidden fees. Choose a single dose or the full protective course.
Single Dose
per Bexsero dose
£140- One Bexsero (MenB) vaccination
- Pre-vaccination health check and consultation
- Administered by a GPhC-registered pharmacist
- Aftercare advice and record card
Full 2-Dose Course
Full protection, complete course
£280- Both Bexsero doses (ideally 8 weeks apart)
- Consultation and health check at each visit
- Reminder for your second dose
- Complete recommended protection
Prices are per person. Children’s dosing and catch-up schedules are assessed individually, please call to discuss. Family appointments available.
What to Expect
From booking to protected: most appointments take around 15 minutes.
Book Online or Call
Choose a time that suits you. Same-day and weekend slots are usually available, and no GP referral is required.
Consultation & Health Check
A pharmacist reviews your age, history and any risk factors, and confirms MenB is right for you.
Your First Dose
A quick, professional injection into the upper arm. You will wait a few minutes afterwards before heading off.
Second Dose & Done
We will remind you when your second dose is due to complete your protection.
A Trusted Local Clinic, Not a Faceless Chain
GPhC-Registered Pharmacists
Every vaccination is given by a qualified, professionally registered clinician.
Same-Day & Weekend Slots
Open 7 days with appointments that fit around school, work and uni runs.
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Honest, Unhurried Advice
We will tell you what you actually need, including if you don’t need it.
Free On-Site Parking
Easy to reach on Berry Lane in the heart of Longridge.
Other Vaccinations We Offer
Compare doses and prices across our vaccination range, all given at our Longridge clinic near Preston.
Whooping Cough Vaccine
1-dose courseWhooping cough (pertussis) vaccination, a single dose often chosen by pregnant women or adults topping up their protection.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
1-dose coursePneumococcal vaccination protects against the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia, given as a single dose.
Shingles Vaccine
2-dose courseShingles vaccination with Shingrix, the same vaccine used in the NHS programme, given privately as a two-dose course.
Meningitis B Vaccine Questions Answered
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How much is the meningitis B vaccine?
At our Longridge clinic the MenB (Bexsero) vaccine is £140 per dose, or £280 for the full 2-dose course. The price includes your consultation, the vaccination and aftercare advice.
Where can I get the MenB vaccine near me?
You can get it privately at our clinic on Berry Lane in Longridge, serving Preston, Clitheroe and the wider Ribble Valley. Book online or call 01772 439054. Same-day appointments are usually available and no GP referral is needed.
Can adults get the meningitis B vaccine?
Yes. While the NHS routinely vaccinates infants only, adults can choose to have the MenB vaccine privately at any age. It is a sensible option if you missed it as a child, live in close-contact settings, or simply want the extra protection.
Is the MenB vaccine available on the NHS?
Routinely only for babies, who are offered it at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 1 year. For 2026 there is also a one-off, time-limited NHS offer for eligible Year 13 leavers and under-25s starting university for the first time in autumn 2026, so check whether you qualify. Everyone else, including returning students, postgraduates and adults, is not routinely eligible, which is why most people come to us for it privately.
How long does the meningitis B vaccine last? Does it last forever?
No vaccine lasts forever. The MenB vaccine gives strong protection, but antibody levels gradually decline over time. For people who remain at higher risk, a booster may be recommended. We will give you up-to-date advice for your situation.
How many doses do I need?
Older children, teenagers and adults usually need 2 doses, ideally 8 weeks apart (at least 4 weeks). We confirm the exact schedule at your consultation, as it can vary with age and history.
How is meningitis B spread, and is it contagious?
Yes, it is contagious. The bacteria spread person-to-person through close contact: coughing, sneezing, kissing and sharing drinks or cutlery. Many people carry it harmlessly in the nose and throat, which is why it spreads easily in households and student halls.
Is meningitis B viral or bacterial?
Meningitis B is caused by bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis group B). Bacterial meningitis tends to be more serious and faster-moving than viral meningitis, which is why vaccination is so important.
Is the MenB vaccine the same as the one students get for university?
No. The routine vaccine offered to students on the NHS is MenACWY, which covers groups A, C, W and Y. MenB protects against group B and is a separate vaccine, though some 2026 school leavers and new university starters can get MenB free for a limited time under the one-off NHS offer. For the broadest protection before university, many students have both.
Do I need the MenB vaccine for travel?
Not usually. MenB targets a UK-circulating strain. For travel to the African “meningitis belt”, Hajj or Umrah you will need MenACWY, which is available from our travel clinic.
Do I need an appointment or a GP referral?
No referral is needed and you can book directly with us. Appointments are recommended so we can make sure a clinician is ready for you, but we are flexible. Call us and we will usually fit you in the same day.
What are the side effects of the meningitis B vaccine?
The MenB vaccine (Bexsero) has an excellent safety record and is given to millions of babies worldwide. Like any vaccine, it can cause mild, short-lived side effects as your immune system responds, and these usually settle within a day or two.
Common, mild effects can include:
- Tenderness, redness or swelling where the injection was given
- A mild temperature, which is more common in young children
- Headache or tiredness
- Aching muscles
Serious reactions are very rare. Our pharmacists check you over before every dose, talk you through what to expect, keep you for a short observation afterwards, and give you clear aftercare advice to take home.
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Book Your Meningitis B Vaccine Today
Same-day and weekend appointments at our Longridge clinic, serving Preston and the Ribble Valley. Protect yourself, your teenager or your student before term starts.
Visit Our Vaccination Clinic in Longridge, Preston
Whether you're protecting a teenager before university, catching up on missed doses, or simply want extra peace of mind, our pharmacists are here to help.