Guidance

A guide to the MenACWY vaccine

Published 26 October 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/menacwy-vaccine-information-for-young-people/a-guide-to-the-menacwy-vaccine

Protect yourself from meningitis and septicaemia

Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease is rare but very serious and requires urgent hospital treatment. It can lead to life-changing disabilities such as amputations, hearing loss, brain damage and scars. It is caused by meningococcal bacteria which are divided into several groups. The most common are A, B, C, W and Y.

Infants, young children, teenagers and young adults have the highest risk of meningococcal disease. Meningococcal bacteria can cause meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) and septicaemia (when the bacteria enter the bloodstream to cause blood poisoning).

Both diseases are very serious and can kill, especially if not diagnosed early. Both meningitis and septicaemia can trigger sepsis. Sepsis is an overwhelming and life-threatening immune response to any infection and can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.

The benefits of vaccination

Older teenagers and young adults are at higher risk of getting meningococcal disease, so you need to get vaccinated now to protect yourself. This is a safe and very effective vaccine that has been part of the routine teenage programme since 2015. It also reduces the risk of other people around you becoming infected. You may have had MenC vaccination as a baby and toddler but this will not protect you against other meningococcal groups.

The MenACWY vaccine will increase your protection against MenC and help to protect you against three other meningococcal groups (A, W and Y). This vaccine will not protect you against all forms of meningococcal disease, like MenB, and so it is still important to be aware of signs and symptoms.

Vaccination is not mandatory but it is the best way to help protect yourself from meningococcal disease. You or your parent or guardian have to consent to the vaccine. You will usually be offered the MenACWY vaccine at school in year 9 when you are age 13 or 14.

Do not worry if you have missed your vaccination, you are eligible to receive the free MenACWY vaccine from your school nurse or immunisation team if you are still at school or from your GP practice until your 25th birthday.

There are 2 MenACWY vaccines, you can read more about them in their patient information leaflets

How the MenACWY vaccine is given

The MenACWY vaccine is given as a single quick injection, usually into the upper arm. The needles used are small and you should feel only a tiny pinprick. If you are a bit nervous about having the injection, tell the nurse or doctor before you have it.

Side effects

It is common to get some swelling, redness or tenderness where you have the injection. You may also get a headache or feel generally a bit unwell but these symptoms should disappear after one or two days. More serious side effects are rare but include generally feeling unwell, headache, nausea, rash, drowsiness and loss of appetite.

If you are worried about any symptoms speak to your GP or call the free NHS helpline 111.

Find out more information about vaccinations and side effects on NHS.UK.

Reporting side effects

Suspected side effects can be reported to the Yellow Card scheme:

Be aware of the common signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia

It is important to know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia even if you are vaccinated as there are many other causes of these conditions.

Initially meningococcal disease can be like a bad case of flu. But anyone affected will usually become seriously ill within a few hours. Early treatment can save your life so it is sensible to be aware of some main signs and symptoms.

Symptoms such as a rash that doesn’t fade (do the glass test), being confused or delirious, or too sleepy to wake occur later and are very serious – seek help immediately.

For meningitis, the most important signs to look out for are:

  • fever

  • a very bad headache (this alone is not a reason to get medical help)

  • vomiting

  • stiff neck

  • dislike of bright lights

  • rash

  • confusion, delirium

  • severe sleepiness, losing consciousness

  • seizures

For septicaemia, the most important signs to look out for are:

  • fever and shivering

  • severe pains and aches in limbs and joints

  • vomiting

  • very cold hands and feet

  • pale or blotchy skin

  • rapid breathing

  • diarrhoea and stomach cramps

  • red or purple ‘bruised’ or blotchy rash on skin that do not fade under pressure – do the glass test. On dark skin, check inside the eyelids or roof of the mouth where the spots may be more visible

  • difficulty walking or standing

  • severe sleepiness, losing consciousness

What you should do

Not all of these symptoms will develop and they can appear in any order and be mixed between the 2 illnesses. Meningococcal disease can be hard to identify at first because it can be like a bad case of flu.

However, anyone affected with meningococcal disease will usually become seriously ill within a few hours. You should contact your GP (family doctor) or NHS 111 for advice if you have any concerns about your own or a friend’s health.

If you become worried about yourself or a friend, particularly if symptoms are getting worse, seek medical help urgently at the closest accident and emergency (A&E) department or by dialling 999. Early treatment can be life-saving.

For more information on the signs and symptoms, including images and videos of meningitis and septicaemia visit:

The glass test

Press the side of a clear drinking glass firmly against the rash so you can see if the rash fades and loses colour under pressure. If it doesn’t change colour, contact your doctor immediately.

On dark skin, check inside the eyelids or roof of the mouth where the spots maybe more visible.

For more information on meningitis and the MenACWY vaccine please visit:

Accessible versions and translations of this information

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