Recent media reports have raised awareness of the effects of Meningitis B and the importance of the meningitis vaccine (if your child is aged under 12 months, the vaccine still readily available via your NHS doctor). Less well-known is the fact that there are different strains of Meningitis, with different vaccines protecting against them.
Strains and Meningitis Vaccines:
- Meningitis B: the protective single-strain meningitis B vaccine is Bexsero
- Meningitis A C W Y: the 4-strain vaccines Menquadfi and Nimenrix offer protection.
Meningococcal Meningitis and its Symptoms
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can affect people of any age, but those most commonly affected are children under 5, and teenagers and young adults heading off to university.
Initial symptoms may be similar to flu, progressing to:
- A high temperature/fever, with cold hands and feet
- Vomiting
- Refusal to eat
- Drowsiness
- Floppy and unresponsive
- Rapid breathing
- Neck stiffness
- Bright light sensitivity
- Pale, blotchy skin, and a red rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it
- Convulsions or seizures
Further information: https://www.meningitisnow.org/meningitis-explained/
The specialists at the Fleet Street Clinic recommend getting your children vaccinated not just against Meningitis B, but against Meningitis A,C,W & Y strains as well (the vaccine is currently available and in stock).
Meningitis B Vaccines Availability
We currently have a good supply of Meningitis B vaccine, available on a first come, first served basis. You can book a Meningitis B vaccination appointment online.
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