Meningitis has been in the news recently following some tragic cases, which is understandably causing concern for many families. While these stories are distressing, it’s important to remember that vaccination has significantly reduced the risk of some of the most serious types of meningitis.
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but can be very serious and requires urgent medical treatment.
Meningitis vaccinations in children
The UK childhood immunisation programme has evolved over time to protect against the most common and dangerous strains:
- Children born from mid-2015 onwards are routinely offered the MenB (meningitis B) vaccine as part of their infant schedule.
- Children born before this time will typically have received the MenC (meningitis C) vaccine instead.
Can older children have the MenB vaccine?
Children over the age of 2 are not eligible for the MenB vaccine on the NHS.
If parents wish for their child to have this protection, it would need to be arranged privately.
Teenage boosters: important protection
In Year 9, school nurses routinely offer:
- MenACWY vaccine (protects against meningitis A, C, W, and Y)
- Teenage booster for diphtheria, tetanus, and polio
These vaccines are an important part of ongoing protection into adolescence and early adulthood.
Missed a school vaccine?
If your child missed their school vaccinations:
- School nursing teams usually run catch-up clinics
- They remain the first point of contact for arranging these vaccines
Eligibility up to age 25
Young people remain eligible for the MenACWY vaccine up to their 25th birthday.
If there is no record of this vaccine in your GP notes, it’s worth:
- Checking directly with your child’s school or school nursing team
- This is particularly important for students who attended boarding schools, where vaccination records are not always shared with GP practices
When to seek urgent medical help
Although rare, meningitis can become serious very quickly. Seek urgent medical attention if you or your child develops symptoms such as:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Neck stiffness
- Sensitivity to light
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness or difficulty waking
- A rash that does not fade when pressed
Final reassurance
Thanks to vaccination, cases of some forms of meningitis are much lower than in the past. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines remains the best way to protect your child.
If you’re unsure about your child’s vaccination history or eligibility, please contact the practice—we’re happy to help.