Students heading to university this autumn will be offered the meningitis B vaccine under a new time-limited local programme.
The DHSC and Cabinet Office has established the offer for the current Year 13 cohort and other first-time entrants to higher education or residential further education settings.
Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford told the House of Keys that the risk of meningitis B on the Isle of Man “remains exceptionally low” but the programme provides “additional individual protection for a cohort considered to be at higher risk as they move into university or residential educational settings”.
Around 700 students are expected to be eligible, with a small additional number of other first-time entrants.
Manx Care will be responsible for practical delivery, including appointments, consent and vaccine administration.
Students will need two vaccinations, four weeks apart, to reach full immunity.
Mr Ashford said the programme is anticipated to start “in three to four weeks”, though he emphasised the precise timetable “will depend on vaccine supply, the delivery model, the workforce in place, and the appointment arrangements”.
Eligible students attending UK universities and colleges will also be able to access vaccination through UK centres.
Students were also urged to check they are up to date with other routine vaccinations, including MMR and HPV, before they travel.