Meningitis Information

While the overall risk to the general public remains low, keeping informed can help you protect your child. Please make sure their vaccinations are up to date, be aware of the key symptoms, and follow simple steps to reduce the risk of infection.

If you have no symptoms but are concerned and have been in contact with a confirmed case or have a general enquiry, you can call 0344 225 3861, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm or visit the website below.

An infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges), usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Meningitis can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults and can be very serious if not treated quickly.

• Rash that does not fade when pressed
• High fever
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Vomiting
• Cold hands or feet
• Confusion, drowsiness, or rapid deterioration

Call 999 or go A&E immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis.

The current outbreak is caused by Meningitis B (MenB).

Babies have routinely been offered vaccination against MenB as part of their NHS vaccination schedule since 2015.

• The MenB vaccine Protects against meningococcal group B bacteria, a major cause of meningitis and sepsis. Is given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 1 year of age. Children remain eligible up until they reach the age of 2.

This information can be found in your child’s red book or on their GP Health record.

There is no national programme to vaccinate older children, teenagers or adults outside of these routine groups. GP surgeries are not allowed to offer MenB vaccine privately.

Routine vaccinations given during childhood protect against meningitis including: 

• 6-in-1 vaccine  (DTaP/IPV/Hib/Hep B) is offered to children at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks and 18 months
• Pneumococcal vaccine  is 2 doses offered to babies at 16 weeks and 1 year, and a single dose offered to adults aged 65 or over
• MMRV vaccine  (measles/mumps/rubella/chickenpox) is offered to children at 12 months and 18 months
• MenACWY vaccine  (MenA, C, W and Y) is offered to teenagers. GP surgeries can administer MenACWY vaccine to under 25 year olds who were previously invited or who had missed it at school, upon request. 

• Regular handwashing
• Avoiding sharing drinks, vapes, cups, bottles or cigarettes
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Stay alert to symptoms in yourself and others

Can I get the MenB vaccine now if I wasn’t eligible before?
No. Eligibility has not changed. MenB vaccination is currently offered only to babies as part of the routine schedule or to close contacts identified by UKHSA.

Can I pay privately for the MenB vaccine?
Yes. Some private providers offer MenB vaccination. GP practices are not able to provide private MenB vaccines.