Meningitis ACWY vaccination
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, also called meningococci. Meningococci are found worldwide, and outbreaks can occur anywhere, but are most likely to occur in the “meningitis belt” of Africa – the Sahel region stretching right across Africa just south of the Sahara desert.
We recommend vaccination for travellers to meningitis belt countries, especially if they are likely to come into close contact with local people – such as through using local transport, or living or working abroad, especially in occupations such as teaching or healthcare.
Outside the meningitis belt, young people are most at risk. In the UK, vaccination is recommended for teenagers entering university. Other groups are also at risk, and vaccination is recommended for people attending mass gatherings (such as Hajj and Umrah), and people with certain medical predispositions.
Meningococcal meningitis is spread by respiratory secretions and close personal contact, and up to 5 to 10 percent of people may harbour these bacteria without symptoms., from time to time.
Meningitis ACWY vaccine (also called MenACWY) protects against four strains of meningococci that cause meningitis (infection and inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (sepsis and infection of the blood).
While meningococcal meningitis is rare, it is very serious and can lead to life-changing disabilities, even with prompt antibiotic treatment – complications include hearing loss, brain damage, and damage to blood vessels leading to loss of limbs and amputation.
Vaccination against meningitis has saved millions of lives and is strongly advised for those at risk.
Who should have the meningitis ACWY vaccine?
Meningitis ACWY vaccine is recommended for travel, and for adolescents aged 15-19 and students prior to starting university.
Vaccination is important for:
- Travel to “meningitis belt” countries in Sub-Saharan Africa – especially during the dry season when transmission is highest.
- Travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage – proof of vaccination is a visa requirement.
- As a routine, for people with a compromised immune system (and especially people who have had their spleen removed for any reason).
- Adolescents and young people entering university.
How many doses of the meningitis ACWY vaccine are required?
The meningitis ACWY vaccine is a single dose vaccine for children and adults.
However, young babies will require 2 doses initially.
For travel, protection needs to be updated every 5 years.
How does the Meningitis ACWY vaccine work?
The Meningitis ACWY vaccine protects against four strains of the meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W and Y), which cause meningitis and septicemia.
Meningitis ACWY is a “conjugated” vaccine. This means that it contains bacterial surface antigens that have been vaccine have been chemically attached carrier proteins (tetanus toxoid) in order to create a more powerful immune response than would be possible if they were used on their own.
After the vaccine is given, your body produces antibodies to fight the meningococcal bacteria. These antibodies then help protect you from infection if you come into contact with meningococci.
How is meningococcal meningitis spread?
Meningococcal meningitis is spread by droplets that come from a person who carries or is infected with the bacteria in the throat and nose.
Infectious droplets can be transmitted from person to person via close or prolonged contact, such as kissing, coughing, sneezing or living in close proximity to an infected individual.
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
The symptoms of meningitis, septicaemia and meningococcal disease include:
- High temperature
- Neck stiffness
- Cold hands and feet
- Nausea or vomiting/ diarrhoea
- Muscle and joint pain
- A spotty purple rash consisting of tiny blood spots in the skin – that does not blanch fade under pressure
Why is the meningitis ACWY vaccine important for university students?
At university, especially during their first year, students encounter large numbers of other young people from outside their local environment.
Students arriving at university interact with large numbers of people from all over the world, so are more likely to become exposed.
Approximately 1 in every 4 young adults may unknowingly be carrying meningococcal bacteria.
Young adulthood is the period when most cases of meningococcal meningitis occur.
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FAQs
Meningitis ACWY is the name of the vaccine that helps protect against meningitis and septicaemia caused by four different strains of meningococcal bacteria: A, C, W-135 and Y.
The meningitis ACWY vaccine is highly effective, but only against the four meningococcal bacteria strains (A, C, W-135 and Y) included in the vaccine.
Meningitis ACWY is a “conjugated” vaccine, which means that the bacterial surface antigens in the vaccine have been chemically linked to carrier proteins that help promote a highly protective immune response.
A separate vaccine is available against the meningitis B strain.
The vaccine is safe, well tolerated, and widely used. Any side effects are usually mild.
The most common side effect would be discomfort at the injection site, this could include redness, slight swelling and sometimes itchiness. You may also feel generally unwell for a few days with headache, raised temperature, fatigue and sometimes nausea. These symptoms usually disappear within24-48 hours.
If you are already unwell with symptoms such as a raised temperature, you should wait until you are well before having the meningitis ACWY vaccine.
There is limited experience in pregnancy or when breast feeding, and no reason to suspect harmful effects, but vaccine manufacturers recommend using the vaccine during pregnancy only when it is clearly needed, and the possible advantages outweigh the potential risks for the foetus; and only using it during breast-feeding when the possible advantages outweigh the potential risks.
Vaccination is recommended for teenagers, who are eligible for NHS vaccination. Teenagers should be vaccinated before university entry since this is a period when they are at highest risk.
We are able to provide meningitis ACWY vaccine privately if timely NHS vaccination is not available.
NHS vaccination is not provided for international travel purposes or to fulfil entry requirements.
No.
There are several strains of meningococcal meningitis. Previously, a vaccine was only available against the meningitis C strain.
The meningitis ACWY vaccine protects against strains A, C, W-135 and Y.
A separate vaccine is available against meningitis B.
If you have had meningitis C vaccine in the past and are still at risk for travel or any other reason, this should be updated.
Yes, meningitis ACWY vaccines have been certified as Halal. Meningitis ACWY vaccination is required by Saudi Arabian authorities as a condition of entry for participation in Hajj and Umrah.
