Vaccination

Meningitis can be caused by a number of different infections, so several vaccinations offer some protection against it.

Children should receive most of these as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.

Speak to your GP if you're not sure whether you or your child's vaccinations are up to date.

MenB vaccine

The MenB vaccine offers protection against meningococcal group B bacteria, which are a common cause of meningitis in young children in the UK.

The vaccine is recommended for babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 16 weeks and a booster at 1 year.

Find out more about the MenB vaccine

6-in-1 vaccine

The 6-in-1 vaccine, also known as the DTaP/IPV/Hib/Hep B vaccine, offers protection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

Hib are a type of bacteria that can cause meningitis.

The vaccine is given on 3 separate occasions, when babies are 8, 12 and 16 weeks old.

Find out more about the 6-in-1 vaccine

Pneumococcal vaccine

The pneumococcal vaccine offers protection against serious infections caused by pneumococcal bacteria, including meningitis.

Babies are offered the pneumococcal vaccine as 2 separate injections at 12 weeks with a booster given at 1 year of age. A single dose is offered to adults aged 65 or over.

Find out more about the pneumococcal vaccine

Hib/MenC vaccine

The meningitis C vaccine offers protection against a type of bacteria called meningococcal group C bacteria, which can cause meningitis.

Babies are offered a combined Hib/MenC vaccine at 1 year of age.

MMR vaccine

The MMR vaccine offers protection against measles, mumps and rubella. Meningitis can sometimes occur as a complication of these infections.

The vaccine is usually given to babies at 1 year of age. They'll then have a second dose when they're 3 years and 4 months old.

Find out more about the MMR vaccine

MenACWY vaccine

The MenACWY vaccine offers protection against 4 types of bacteria that can cause meningitis: meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y.

The vaccine is offered to teenagers aged 14 years old. It is also offered to people up to the age of 25 who have never had a vaccine containing MenC.

Find out more about the MenACWY vaccine