Asda has launched low-cost meningitis shots, as it partners with charity Meningitis Now to support affordable protection against the disease.

From 15 April, shoppers at Asda will be able to purchase the vaccination, priced at £89.88 for a single shot and £179.76 for the full course, which the supermarket giant claims is the most affordable on the market.

Available at all Asda Pharmacy locations, the store’s trained Pharmacists will also be able to administer the ACWY Vaccine (£45), which can be booked online or in-store.

The new launch follows a rise in meningitis cases reported in the UK over the last year. From 2023-2024, there were 341 meningitis cases registered in England, with MenB remaining the most prevalent cause with 301 cases of this strain of the disease.

Last week, Meningitis Now repeated its call to manufacturers and pharmacies for lower vaccine costs to ensure more people, particularly students, young adults, and those travelling abroad, can access vital immunisation.

Asda head of pharmacy and superintendent pharmacist Faisal Tuddy said: “Cost should never be a barrier to essential healthcare. By offering meningitis vaccines for the lowest price in the market, we’re responding to Meningitis Now’s urgent call for greater affordability and accessibility – helping more people to stay protected.

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“By taking this first step to make essential healthcare more accessible, we hope pharmacies and vaccines manufacturers can start to work together to bring the cost of this medication down even further.”

Meningitis Now CEO said Dr Tom Nutt added: “MenB is one of the most common causes of meningitis in the UK, so we welcome the news that this life-saving vaccine is going to be available from Asda Pharmacy – and at a fair price. The impact of meningitis can be devastating.

“Every day we work with people who have lost their hearing, their limbs or even their loved ones to this cruel disease. We hope that by launching this MenB vaccination service, Asda Pharmacy will help more people protect their loved ones and ultimately save lives.”

Last year, Asda Pharmacy launched a new home heart test that can provide the NHS with test results for cardiovascular disease (CVD) within minutes.

Price of Meningitis vaccines at UK high street retailers