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All British babies to receive Meningitis B vaccine
Injection
Meningitis B affects around 1,200 people every year.
Vaccine represents a significant breakthrough in disease prevention

An agreement has been reached between GlaxoSmithKline and the Department of Health which will mean all babies in the UK will soon be vaccinated against Meningitis B.

Starting in September, the vaccination programme is the culmination of more than 20 years of research and represents a significant breakthrough in disease prevention.

When the vaccine is launched, the UK will become the first country in the world to introduce a national Meningitis B vaccination programme.

In a statement, GlaxoSmithKline said: "GSK is delighted to have reached an agreement with the UK’s Department of Health that will enable babies in the UK to receive its meningitis B vaccine through the NHS immunisation schedule.

"We have moved rapidly to conclude negotiations since we acquired the vaccine from Novartis at the beginning of March.

"We believe the agreement we have reached offers fair value for the NHS and allows a reasonable return for GSK to ensure that we can continue to invest in creating new treatments and vaccines.

Meningitis B affects around 1,200 people, mainly babies and children, each year in the UK, with around one in every ten dying from the infection. Many of those who survive suffer terrible permanent disability such as limb loss, brain damage and epilepsy.


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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.