There are numerous strains of the meningococcal infection which can cause meningitis.
Teenagers in school year 9 are offered the meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine which protects against four types of bacteria – groups A, C, W and Y.
Our School Aged Immunisation Team visits schools every year to offer the vaccine to pupils in year nine. Your child’s school will email you a consent form for the vaccine, which parents and carers are asked to complete as soon as possible.
If your child is home educated or missed the vaccination in school, they can book onto one of our community clinics. To do this, contact the immunisation team on sirona.sch-imms@nhs.net or 0300 124 5515.
If your child is between 18 and 25 and missed their MenACWY vaccination, you can book an appointment with their GP.
This vaccine does not protect against all forms of meningitis. Other strains, such as MenB can circulate in young adults, which is why it is important to know how to spot the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
The MenB vaccine was added to the NHS immunisation schedule for infants in 2015, providing protection for babies and young children in the UK. It is separate from the MenACWY.
If you are a teenager or young adult born before 1 May 2015, you will not have received the MenB vaccine as part of the NHS schedule.
You can find out more about the NHS vaccination schedule here, and there is more information about meningitis on the UKHSA website, the NHS website, Meningitis Research Foundation and Meningitis Now.
