Response to negative story about a meningitis vaccine

A recent news article has incorrectly reported that a meningococcal meningitis vaccine could cause meningitis.

Professor James Stuart, Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, said: “Meningitis is a complex disease and so sometimes people are given incorrect information. A recent news report has incorrectly reported that a meningococcal meningitis vaccine could cause meningitis.

"Vaccines that protect against meningococcal meningitis cannot cause meningitis because they don’t contain anything that can cause infection. It is vital that everyone gets the vaccines available to them to protect their health and to stop the spread of disease to protect everyone. Meningitis Research Foundation has a free helpline and would be happy to talk to anyone about how meningitis can occur and to provide any support they need. They are also there for anyone concerned by this story.”

Contact the helpline on 080 8800 3344 or helpline@meningitis.org.