Two vaccines protect against the main causes of meningitis and septicaemia.The MenACWY vaccine offers protection against four types of bacteria that can cause meningitis – meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y – and is offered to teenagers aged 14 years old. Anyone who missed out can get it for free until their 25th birthday. The MenB vaccine helps protect against meningococcal group B bacteria and is recommended for babies aged eight weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at one year.The vaccines do not contain any live bacteria and cannot cause meningitis.Meningitis can sometimes occur as a complication of some other infections, meaning several other vaccinations can also help protect people. A six-in-one vaccine given to young children – 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).A pneumococcal vaccine offers babies protection against serious infections caused by pneumococcal bacteria, including meningitis.The MMRV vaccine – which replaced the MMR vaccine in January 2026 – offers infants protection against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. The MMR vaccine is free for anyone who missed getting it when they were younger, regardless of their age.Generally, it takes a couple of weeks to get full protection from a vaccine and some require booster doses.
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What are the symptoms of meningitis and how is it spread?
