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Meningitis vaccination

The new vaccine 

What does it protect against?
The new vaccine protects against group C meningitis and septicaemia. The new vaccine will not protect against other causes of meningitis and septicaemia.

How is the vaccine made?
The new vaccine is made from a small part of the meningoccocal bacteria. It is made in the same way as the Hib meningitis vaccine that has been given routinely to babies since 1992. Hib vaccine is very safe and nearly wiped out Hib meningitis in this country.

How does it work?
The vaccine causes the immune system to produce antibodies to protect against group C meningoccocal disease. If an immunised person comes into contact with the real bacteria, the antibodies will provide protection.

Can you get meningitis or septicaemia from the vaccine?
No, the vaccine is not live and cannot give anyone meningitis or septicaemia.

How many doses will be needed for complete protection?

  • Babies aged two, three and four months will have doses with each of their DTP-Hib and polio immunisations.
  • Babies aged over four months and up to one year will have two doses at least one month apart.
  • Children over one year and adults need only one dose.

Is the new vaccine safe and effective? 

  • Although this is a new vaccine, it contains ingredients that are very similar to the Hib vaccine. It has been thoroughly tested in children of all ages and provides good protection with very few side effects.
  • 60, 000 doses of the vaccine have already been given around the world.
  • The new vaccine has been tested carefully and has been proved to be safe.

Can the vaccine be given at the same time as other vaccines?
Yes, the new vaccine has been thoroughly tested and babies' and children's immune systems respond very well to this and other routine immunisations.

Babies

  • Some redness and swelling where the injection is given. 

Toddlers

(over 12 months)

  • Some redness and swelling where the injection is given.

  • One in four toddlers may have disturbed sleep.

  • One in 20 toddlers may have a mild fever.

Pre-school children

  • About one in 20 may have swelling where the injection is given.

  • About one in 50 may have a mild fever within a few days of vaccination.

Children and young people

  • About one in four may have swelling or redness where the injection is given.

  • About one in 50 may have a mild temperature.

  • About one in 100 may have a very sore arm from the injection which may last a day or so.

Are there any reasons why the new vaccine should not be given?
There are very few medical reasons why the immunisation shouldn't be given. They include:

  • a high fever on the day of the injection;
  • a severe allergic reaction to a previous immunisation - please check with your doctor or nurse;
  • young women who think they may be pregnant. Please check with your doctor or nurse.
  • The vaccine may not be fully effective in someone with a serious condition of their immune system.

Ask your doctor or nurse if you are not sure whether you should have the immunisation.

Who will get the new vaccine and when?
Starting in Autumn 1999, the new immunisation will be given to children aged 2, 3 and 4 months and around 13 months with their routine immunisations. Extra appointments will be organised where necessary. Depending on their age, all other children will be invited through their GP, school or college to have the vaccine in a special catch up programme. (See the table below.)

When will the vaccine be available?

Where will the vaccine

be given?

From Autumn

1999

Given to babies at 2, 3 and 4 months

At the surgery or health clinic at the time of the DTP-Hib, polio appointment.

Given to toddlers at 13-15 months

At the surgery or health clinic, at the MMR appointment.

Given to young people aged 15, 16 and 17 years

At the school or college, please wait to be called.

From January 2000

Given to babies over 4 months and under 12 months

At the surgery or health clinic - special appointments will be arranged. Please wait to be called.

Given to children aged 1 to 4 years

At the surgery or health clinic - special appointments will be arranged. Please wait to be called.

Given to children aged 5 to 14 years

At school. Please wait to be called

How will I know when to get the new vaccine?

  • You will be sent an appointment by post. If you cannot make the appointment time shown, please ring and make a new appointment.
  • School-aged children will be immunised at school or college. The school or college will contact you before the immunisation is due.

     Please wait until you are contacted

 

Why will people get the new immunisation at different times?

  • The immunisation will be given first to those at greatest risk - babies and young people, as shown in the timetable above.
  • Because this is a new vaccine stocks cannot be built up in advance. The NHS wants to protect people as soon as possible, so doses will be given as soon as they are available.

What are the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia? 
The biggest problem is that most of the early symptoms of infection     can be mild and similar to those you get with flu, for example:

  • being sick;
  • feeling feverish;
  • pain in the back or joints;
  • a severe headache; and
  • a stiff neck.

     But get medical help immediately if someone has the following:

  • a severe dislike of light;
  • disorientation;
  • a bruise-like rash that doesn't fade under pressure  (do the Glass Test - see below);
  • reduced awareness which can lead to a coma.

What should you do if you think someone has meningitis or septicaemia?

  • If you or someone you know is ill and is getting worse and you think they might have meningitis or septicaemia, trust your instincts. Contact your GP or go to the nearest accident and emergency department immediately.
  • People who doctors think may have meningitis or septicaemia are given antiiotics straight away and have to stay in hospital. The earlier they are treated, the better the chances are of making a full recovery.

How to recognise meningitis or septicaemia
In babies look out for one or more of these symptoms:

  • A high fever.
  • A high-pitched, moaning cry.
  • Difficult to wake.
  • Refusal to eat.
  • Pale or blotchy skin.
  • Red or purple bruise-like spots that do not fade under pressure. (See the Glass Test below.)

In older children look out for one or more of these symptoms:

  • A high fever.
  • Stiffness in the neck - can the child kiss his or her knee?
  • Drowsiness or confusion.
  • A severe headache.
  • A dislike of bright light.
  • Red or purple bruise-like spots that do not fade under pressure. (See the Glass Test below.)
Living with meningitis- glass test
The disease can develop very quickly - sometimes in a matter of hours. If you recognise the signs early and get help urgently you can save lives.

How to do the Glass Test
This test is very simple. If you press a clear glass firmly against the bruise-like rash, you can see if the rash fades. If the rash doesn't fade contact your doctor immediately.

Please remember that everyone will be called for immunisation when their turn comes. You will be contacted with an appointment either from your doctor or from the school or college.

  • If you receive an appointment and want more information about meningitis or septicaemia, speak to your GP, practice nurse or school nurse.
  • Or, you can call the Health Information Service (freefone) on 0800 66 55 44 weekdays between 10am and 4pm. The Health Information Service is a national freephone network providing confidential information about health-related issues and local services.

 We are indebted to the National Meningitis Trust for their help in compiling this section.