Meningitis ACWY

Meningitis is a life-threatening illness that can lead to permanent life-changing conditions such as amputations, hearing loss and brain damage.

As a result, this vaccination is highly recommended to ensure you are fully protected from meningitis, sepsis, and septicaemia. 

At school, the meningitis ACWY vaccine was recommended to all teenagers, usually aged 13 to 14 years old. However, for those who missed the vaccination at school, the meningitis ACWY vaccine is available to:

• Individuals from 6 months of age and over, at risk of meningococcal diseases caused by Neisseria meningitidis group A, C, W-135 and Y (N.B. product-specific age indications must be followed).  

This includes:  

• Pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah, who are required to show proof of vaccination.  
• People visiting risk areas for meningococcal disease, whose planned activities put them at higher risk. Risk must be identified with reference to current recognised sources, such as:  

1. http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx 
2.  http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country-information/ 
3. http://www.travax.nhs.uk/ 

• Patients who missed their routine vaccination during years 9 and 10 in school, or the catch-up MenACWY vaccination. First-time university or college students aged up to 25 are entitled to a free NHS MenACWY vaccine.

For more information regarding the meningitis ACWY vaccination, please contact your nearest branch. You can locate your nearest Allied Pharmacy here