Meningitis vaccines

Vaccines are the only way to prevent meningitis.

Effective vaccines are available to prevent some types of meningitis, but not all, so it is important to know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia so that 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 the next few years.

Many other bacteria, viruses and fungi also cause meningitis which at present can’t be prevented by vaccination. It is essential that everyone knows the signs and symptoms to look for, and how to get urgent medical help.

• Download our fact sheet for more information about meningitis vaccines
• Read more about the latest news on the MenB vaccine development

What are vaccines and how do they work?

Vaccines are given to provide immunity against a particular disease. They use a harmless forrm of a pathogen or its toxin to make antibodies without the individual suffering the symptoms of the disease.

If your body is then invaded by harmful organisms, it produces antibodies to fight them.

On the surface of bacteria and viruses are substances called antigens. antibodies will attack antigens when they invade the body. Your body produces antibodies for every bacteria and virus it meets, therefore a different vaccine is needed for every different pathogen.

How effective are the vaccines?

Vaccines have been very successful in reducing the cases of meningitis, with thousands of lives being saved as a result.

In the UK, many diseases are no longer a threat and this is because of the high immunisation rates. Vaccines do not just offer protection to the person receiving them, but also help protect others in the community, particularly children, who for medical reasons cannot be immunised.

Common symptoms that can occur following vaccination include redness and swelling around the injection site and fever. They are natural reactions of the body’s immune system. These symptoms will usually subside in a very short period of time, and are a good indicator of a successful vaccination.

Are vaccines safe?

Yes. Before a vaccine can be licensed for use in the UK, it is thoroughly tested for its safety and effectiveness.

• All the vaccines available to prevent meningitis have now been used for many years and millions of doses have been given.
• Vaccines are constantly monitored to ensure that any adverse reactions and rare side effects are recorded for further investigation.

Meningitis and travel

A travel vaccine is available to prevent some groups of meningococcal disease. Group A causes epidemics in Sub-Saharan Africa and results in thousands of deaths each year. In recent years, group W135 has caused outbreaks in pilgrims travelling to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia, and it is now a legal requirement that these visitors are vaccinated against W135. The vaccine protects against groups A, C, W135 and Y, and is available for travellers to ‘at risk’ areas of the world. Always check with your GP or travel clinic for the most up-to-date vaccine information.

Key meningitis facts

• Vaccines are the only way to prevent meningitis.
• Several meningitis vaccines are available through the NHS Childhood Immunisation Programme in the UK.
• There is still no vaccine to protect against all types of meningitis, so knowing the signs and symptoms of meningitis is vital.
• Protect yourself and your loved ones by carrying one of our meningitis symptoms cards with you at all times. We distribute one million of these credit-card sized cards every year and send them out to you for free. Call our freephone 24-hour helpline to request yours – 0808 80 10 388*. You never know when you might need it.

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