Childhood immunisation in the UK and Ireland

How can I protect my children from meningitis?

The single most effective thing your children from meningitis is to make sure they are fully immunised. Every injection in the routine immunisation programme for babies protects against some form of meningitis, as indicated in bold.

Routine immunisation schedule for babies in the UK

2 months 3 months 4 months 12 to 13months
Hib + diptheria, tetanus,
whooping cough, polio
(DTaP/IPV/Hib)
Hib + diptheria, tetanus,
whooping cough, polio
(DTaP/IPV/Hib)
Hib + diptheria, tetanus,
whooping cough, polio
(DTaP/IPV/Hib)

Pneumococcal (PCV13)

Pneumococcal (PCV13) Pneumococcal (PCV13)

Meningococcal C (MenC) Meningococcal C (MenC)



Hib + Meningococcal C (Hib/MenC)



Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

Current schedule in Ireland for children

2 months 4 months 6 months 12 months 13 months
Diptheria/ Tetanus/ Pertussis/ Polio / Hib/ Hepatitis B
('6-in-one')
Diptheria/ Tetanus/ Pertussis/ Polio / Hib/ Hepatitis B
('6-in-one')
Diptheria/ Tetanus/ Pertussis/ Polio / Hib/ Hepatitis B
('6-in-one')



MenC MenC
MenC
Pneumococcal
Pneumococcal Pneumococcal



MMR




Hib





Although vaccines provide excellent protection, not all forms of meningitis can be prevented, so it is important to know the symptomsso that you can recognise the disease in time to get medical help if your child is affected.

Andrew Ransom

Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease at 18 years old

Within 24 hours the ventilator had to be turned off

Ask the Expert
Why are MRF continuing to fund MenB research?

Professor Christoph Tang answers
Current research
A syringe and vial

Examination of two meningococcal surface proteins as potential vaccine targets

The vital role of proteins in the search for a MenB