Are there vaccinations for meningitis and septicaemia?
Yes, there are vaccines that protect against some forms of meningitis and septicaemia, but although these vaccines provide excellent protection, they can't prevent all strains of these diseases. As yet there is no vaccine that can prevent all forms of meningitis and septicaemia.
Find out more information the routine childhood immunisation schedule in the UK
Meningococcal vaccines
Most cases of meningococcal disease in the UK and Ireland are caused by group B meningococcal bacteria, and there is no available vaccine to protect against this, so knowing the signs and symptoms is vital.
Click on the name of the vaccination for more information.
This vaccine protects against Group C meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia and is routinely offered to babies in the UK and Ireland.
It was introduced into the childhood immunisation programme in 1999/2000 with a catch up programme that eventually extended to all under 25s in the UK, and under 23s in Ireland. It has reduced cases of Group C disease by over 90%.
In the UK, it is now offered to babies as part of the routine immunisation schedule at 3 and 4 months with a booster at 12 months.
In the Republic of Ireland, it is routinely offered to babies at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
This vaccine has greatly reduced cases of Hib disease, including meningitis, since its introduction into the childhood vaccination schedule in 1992.
At present, as part of the routine immunisation schedule in the UK, Hib vaccine is offered to babies at 2, 3 and 4 months with a booster dose at 12 months. Children now get a further dose with their preschool booster injections at about 3 to 4 years of age.
In the Republic of Ireland is it offered at 2, 4 and 6 months, with a Hib booster at 12 months.
There are two main vaccines that protect against the types of pneumococcal bacteria that cause most cases of pneumococcal disease including meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia.
Conjugate vaccine
This is a new long-lasting vaccine that can protect children as young as two months of age against the 7 types of bacteria responsible for 82% of pneumococcal disease in children under age 5.
Polysaccharide vaccine
This older vaccine provides a level of protection against the 23 types of bacteria that most frequently cause pneumococcal disease.
The recommendations for the use of these pneumococcal vaccines differs in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
For more information, please click on the most appropriate link below:
If you are a UK health professional, you may be interested to visit Wyeth Vaccines' site about childhood pneumococcal disease at www.prevenar.co.uk Of particular interest is the Immunisation Training Toolkit - a downloadable training guide in line with the Core Curriculum for Immunisation Training.
There is a quadrivalent (4 type) polysaccharide vaccine which provides a level of protection against meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia due to Groups A, C, W135 and Y. The ACWY vaccine is a visa requirement for Muslim pilgrims to Mecca and is also recommended for travel to certain countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Information on vaccines for Hajj pilgrims in other languages.
The Foundation has a major research funding commitment to developing vaccines against forms of meningitis and septicaemia that are still not preventable.
Please remember that although vaccines that are currently available can provide excellent protection, there are several major forms of meningitis and septicaemia for which there is no vaccine.
Page last updated 01.11.07