A vaccine that helps prevent meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia
Meningococcal vaccine
A vaccine that helps protect against meningococcal disease, a serious infection that can cause meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
What is Meningococcal vaccine?
The meningococcal vaccine helps protect against meningococcal disease, a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis (inflammation of the lining around the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning), both of which can be life-threatening and develop quickly. It is given by injection and works by helping the immune system recognise and fight the bacteria before they can cause illness. It prevents infection rather than treating it. The most common side effects are soreness where the injection is given and a mild fever, especially in babies. It is offered free within the UK health service at set ages, so it is best to follow the UK immunisation schedule.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Meningococcal vaccine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
The meningococcal vaccine is a vaccine that helps prevent meningococcal disease, an infection caused by meningococcal bacteria that can lead to meningitis and septicaemia. These illnesses can come on very fast and be extremely serious, particularly in babies, young children and teenagers. There are different types (groups) of the bacteria, and different vaccines protect against different groups, which is why more than one vaccine is used across the UK immunisation schedule, at different ages. It is given by injection. Like all vaccines, it is a preventive measure, given to healthy people to stop them becoming ill rather than to treat an infection that is already present.
How it works
The meningococcal vaccine works by showing the immune system harmless parts of the meningococcal bacteria, so the body learns to recognise them. If the person later meets the real bacteria, their immune system can respond quickly and strongly, helping to prevent serious infection. Because it trains the immune system in advance, it is given before exposure, as part of a planned schedule, rather than when someone is already ill. Different vaccines cover different groups of the bacteria, and some are given as more than one dose to build and maintain strong protection.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Various manufacturers.
A vaccine used in the UK as part of the UK immunisation schedule to help protect against meningococcal disease, which can cause meningitis and blood poisoning.
Practical use
How to take Meningococcal vaccine
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Have it as an injection at the ages recommended on the UK immunisation schedule, as advised by your GP or nurse.
- Make sure any extra recommended doses are given, as some meningococcal vaccines are given as more than one dose.
- For babies, follow advice about giving paracetamol, as fever is common after one of these vaccines.
- Tell the nurse about any serious allergies or if your child is unwell with a high temperature on the day.
- Learn the warning signs of meningitis and septicaemia and seek urgent help if they appear, even after vaccination.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Meningococcal vaccine
Advantages
- Helps prevent meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, which can be very serious and develop quickly.
- Offered free within the UK health service at set ages, including for babies and teenagers.
- Protects not just the individual but, by reducing spread, helps protect the wider community.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes injection-site soreness and a mild fever, especially in babies.
- No single vaccine covers every type of meningococcal bacteria.
- May need more than one dose to build and keep up strong protection.
Practical use
Good to know
The most important thing to understand is that this is a preventive vaccine: it is given to healthy people to stop meningococcal disease, not to treat it, and it is offered free at set ages within the UK health service, so following the UK immunisation schedule is the best way to make sure protection is in place. The most common side effects are soreness, redness or swelling where the injection is given, and a mild fever, which is especially common in babies after one of the meningococcal vaccines; paracetamol may be advised to help with this in infants. Serious allergic reactions are very rare, and vaccines are given where they can be managed. No single vaccine covers every type of meningococcal bacteria, so even after vaccination it remains important to know the warning signs of meningitis and septicaemia and to seek urgent help if they appear.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose or to an ingredient of the vaccine should not have it.
- It is usually delayed if someone is unwell with a high temperature, until they have recovered.
- Advice may differ for people with certain health conditions or weakened immune systems, so check with your GP or nurse.
Monitoring
- A short wait after the injection in case of a rare immediate allergic reaction.
- Checking the schedule so any further recommended doses are given on time.
- No routine blood tests are needed for healthy people having the vaccine.
Side effects
- Soreness, redness or swelling where the injection is given.
- A mild fever, which is especially common in babies after one of the meningococcal vaccines.
- Irritability, tiredness or feeling generally off-colour for a day or two.
Key interactions
- It can usually be given at the same time as other routine vaccines, as advised by your nurse.
- There are few medicine interactions, but tell the nurse about any medicines or treatments that affect the immune system.
- Let the nurse know about recent vaccines so the schedule can be planned correctly.
Available as: A suspension for injection, usually into the muscle.
Answers
Meningococcal vaccine: frequently asked questions
What does the meningococcal vaccine protect against?
It helps protect against meningococcal disease, a serious infection that can cause meningitis (inflammation around the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
Does it treat meningitis?
No. It is a preventive vaccine given to healthy people to stop meningococcal disease; it does not treat an infection that has already started.
When is it given?
It is offered free within the UK health service at set ages, including for babies and teenagers, so it is best to follow the UK immunisation schedule.
Why might my baby get a fever afterwards?
A mild fever is common in babies after one of the meningococcal vaccines; paracetamol may be advised to help, and it usually settles quickly.
Am I fully protected once I have had it?
It gives strong protection, but no single vaccine covers every type, so it is still important to know the warning signs of meningitis and seek urgent help if needed.
The wider class
About Vaccine (meningococcal disease)
Meningococcal vaccine belongs to the vaccine (meningococcal disease) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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