Recommended for travel to parts of Africa and Saudi Arabia to immunise against meningococcal disease, meningitis and bloodstream infections. Required vaccination for Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages.
What is the Meningococcal Vaccine used for?
Meningococcal vaccines help protect against meningococcal disease caused by four strains (A, C, Y, W-135) of the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Meningococcal disease can present as an infection of the brain and spinal cord lining (meningitis), infection of the blood (septicaemia) or lung infection (pneumonia).
Symptoms of meningococcal disease may include a sudden onset of headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, neck stiffness, a rash of red-purple spots or bruises. Young children may present with less specific symptoms such as irritability, crying, difficulty in waking or refusal to eat.
This vaccine is given as a series of one, two or four doses, depending on the age when the first dose was given and your immunity system. A booster dose may be required.
Who should receive the Meningococcal Vaccine?
The meningococcal vaccine is recommended for the prevention of meningococcal disease among high-risk groups such as:
- Persons travelling to Mecca for the Hajj or Umrah (a mandatory requirement by Saudi Arabia’s government)
- Persons travelling to the sub-Saharan Africa
- Persons with lower body resistance to infections
- Persons who are close contacts of patients with meningococcal disease
- Persons at risk due to an outbreak of meningococcal disease in the community
