What vaccines are there for meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges - the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It’s most commonly caused by bacterial, viral or fungal infections. Symptoms develop quickly, causing a rapid deterioration to a person’s health.

Viral infections are very rarely life-threatening. Most people recover with no noticeable after effects, but for some people it can result in long-term ill health, which can be life-changing.

Severe cases of meningitis are most often caused by bacterial infection.

Bacterial meningitis can occur when bacteria enter the bloodstream after breaking through the body’s protective linings, such as the nose and throat. After invading the blood and multiplying, the bacteria can travel to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) – the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. In the CSF, the bacteria can cause inflammation and swelling in the meninges and brain tissue. Meningitis can also occur alongside other life-threatening infections such as blood poisoning (septicaemia) which can trigger sepsis, an overwhelming body response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.

Vaccinations for those at most risk offer a safe way for their bodies to develop protection against some of the most common causes of the disease and reduce the potential for infections to spread within the population.

Meningitis vaccinations are routinely offered to those who are:

• At greatest risk of infection (this includes babies and young children, whose immune systems are still developing, and people with certain medical conditions which increase their risk of developing meningitis)

• Those who are the most likely to harmlessly carry the bacteria in their nose and throat and unknowingly spread the bacteria amongst the wider population (this includes teenagers)

Pneumococcal and Hib vaccinations are offered as part of most routine vaccination schedules around the world. Some countries also have routine meningococcal vaccination schedules.

Details of vaccination schedules can be found here:

• The UK Government website (for the UK)

• The National Immunisation Office (for Ireland)

• The World Health Organization (for the world)

If you are living in the UK and are unsure about what vaccinations you, or your child, may have had previously speak to your GP.

Your local surgery will be able to confirm what immunisations you have had and provide guidance on what you may need and how to arrange it.

Yes. Vaccine safety is carefully established in clinical trials before vaccines are introduced and by close monitoring throughout their use.

For serious life-threatening diseases such as meningitis and septicaemia, acquiring immunity through immunisation is a far safer way to get protected than risking exposure to the diseases.

Since the introduction of the first meningitis vaccine more than 30 years ago, millions of doses have been administered to people worldwide saving countless numbers of lives.

Vaccinations have also changed the course of history by informing our response to disease control and prevention, with research findings and ongoing surveillance shaping routine immunisation schedules.

More detailed information on the safety of each vaccine can be found in our vaccine factsheets (you can access these by going to the section above, on types of meningitis vaccines and the protection they offer for which ages).

There are many different strains of bacteria and viruses that can cause meningitis. Although there aren’t vaccines to prevent against all forms of the disease, there are several immunisations which are routinely available around the world to provide protection against the most common causes of the disease and significantly reduce the chance of infection. Even if someone is fully vaccinated, as we can’t immunise everyone against all forms of the disease, it’s really important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. Immunisation awareness and prevention are all key to preventing this disease.

Vaccinations are routinely offered to those at greatest risk of disease. Conjugate vaccines also indirectly protect the wider population by stopping those who are vaccinated from carrying, and transmitting the bacteria.

However, meningitis is such a deadly and disabling disease that some may wish to be protected however small the risk of them contracting the disease. For example, for some vaccines in the UK, such as MenB and MenACWY, there is the option to pay privately to receive it at a local clinic or pharmacy.

As part of our support services, MRF offers a helpline for those living in the UK and Ireland which can assist with any queries you may have around vaccinations.

There are also other organisations, like the Oxford Vaccination knowledge project, which offers independent information about vaccinations and infectious diseases, as well as the World Health Organization which provides data around vaccinations and global immunisation schedules.