Guidance

Meningococcal: the green book, chapter 22

Meningococcal immunisation information for public health professionals.

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Meningococcal: the green book, chapter 22

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Meningococcal disease occurs as a result of a systemic bacterial infection by Neisseria meningitidis. Meningococci are gram-negative diplococci, divided into antigenically distinct serogroups. They are classified according to characteristics of the polysaccharide capsule into capsular group, and of outer membrane proteins into type and subtype. Further characterisation, undertaken by sequencing several other regions of the chromosomal DNA, defines the sequence type (ST).

Published 20 March 2013
Last updated 17 May 2022 + show all updates
  1. Updated to include additional licenced vaccines (QuadMenfi and Trumenba) and guidance on 4CMenB boosting in individuals at occupational risk.

  2. Corrected table 22.3 on recommendations for the use of quadrivalent meningococcal ACWY vaccines for travel.

  3. Corrected table 22.3 on recommendations for the use of quadrivalent meningococcal ACWY vaccines for travel.

  4. Updated to reflect changes to the meningococcal vaccine schedules, catch ups and supplies, including removal of the infant dose of meningitis group C vaccine from the routine childhood programme.

  5. Added chapter update patch and made minor amends to section on the 'development of conjugate meningococcal vaccines'.

  6. Added PDF version of recent patch.

  7. The Chapter has been updated to provide clarification on the use of prophylactic paracetamol when Bexsero® is administered concomitantly with other vaccines in infants.

  8. The Chapter has been updated to provide clarification on the use of prophylactic paracetamol when Bexsero® is administered concomitantly with other vaccines in infants.

  9. The Chapter has been updated to provide clarification on the use of prophylactic paracetamol when Bexsero® is administered concomitantly with other vaccines in infants.

  10. The Chapter has been updated to provide clarification on the use of prophylactic paracetamol when Bexsero® is administered concomitantly with other vaccines in infants.

  11. Updated to include guidance on new MenB and MenACWY immunisation programmes.

  12. Updated URL links to the green book chapters.

  13. No patch available: rewritten chapter to incorporate latest information on meningococcal disease.

  14. New updated chapter.

  15. Updated Body text to include link to the green book chapter update patches on the National Archives website.

  16. First published.