Swine flu vaccine in the UK

25 November 2009

Some people affected by meningitis may be at higher risk of catching or becoming very severely ill from flu. This will include people who got meningitis because of problems with their immune systems, and these same problems increase the chances of catching flu.

Meningitis patients who have been left with serious neurological problems like cerebral palsy, epilepsy,  hemiparesis, paralysis and severe developmental delay, are at much higher risk of dying from influenza than healthy individuals.

Anyone in a higher risk group in the UK is eligible for swine flu vaccination.  The swine flu vaccination programme recently got underway in the UK. If you or your child is in a higher risk group, your GP surgery should contact you to invite you for vaccination. However, you may want to contact them to make sure you don't miss out.

Find out more about swine flu and meningitis