| Effective vaccines are available to prevent some types of bacterial meningitis, but not all, so it is important to know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia so you can take action.
There is still no vaccine to prevent meningococcal group B disease, which is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK and Ireland. Development of an effective vaccine is now a major priority and experts believe this should be achievable in three to five years.
The following vaccines are offered as part of the childhood immunisation programme in the UK and Ireland:
The MenC vaccine has dramatically reduced the number of cases of meningococcal group C disease by around 95% in all age groups.
Hib used to be the leading cause of meningitis in children under 5, with around 800 cases and 25 deaths reported each year. Since the introduction of the Hib vaccine in 1992, cases of Hib meningitis are now rare, with around 50 cases reported each year.
PCV offers protection against 7 different types of pneumococcal bacteria which account for around 80% of invasive disease (including meningitis) in the under 5s in the UK and Ireland. This vaccine has been very effective in the USA. Following its recent introduction in the UK its impact in reducing disease is being closely monitored. The Department of Health and Children have announced that it will be introduced in Ireland in 2008.
A pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) is available and recommended for adults and children who have had, or who are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease (for example, those with asthma, chronic heart disease, diabetes mellitus and those with cochlear implants). This vaccine is also routinely offered to adults over 65. The vaccine protects against 23 strains of pneumococcal bacteria, but has a limited period of protection and is not effective in babies under 2 years old.
Some viruses that cause diseases such as measles and mumps can also cause meningitis. The routine MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella (German Measles). Before its introduction, mumps was the most common cause of viral meningitis in children.
Travel vaccines are available to prevent some groups of meningococcal disease. These offer protection for three to five years, but are not effective in infants and young children. Your doctor’s surgery or health centre will have specific, up to date information on all vaccines needed before travelling.
For more information on vaccines, download our fact sheet ‘Meningitis Vaccines: the facts’ or call our helpline on (UK) 0800 028 18 28 or
(Ireland) 1800 523 196.
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To view the full immunisation schedule for the UK click here
To view the full immunisation schedule for Ireland click here
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