Menacwy VaccineThis page is about the MenACWY vaccine. There's separate information about the MenB vaccine for children which also helps protect against meningitis and sepsis. What the MenACWY vaccine is forThe MenACWY vaccine is given to teenagers to help protect against 4 types of bacteria linked to meningitis. Meningitis, which can cause sepsis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), is a very serious, potentially life-threatening illness that can lead to life-changing disabilities, such as limb amputations, hearing loss and brain damage. It's most common in babies, children, teenagers and young adults. Although the vaccine is very effective, it does not prevent all types of meningitis, so it's still important to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis even if you've been vaccinated. Who should have the MenACWY vaccineThe MenACWY vaccine is recommended for all teenagers. It's usually given to children when they're 13 or 14 years old (school year 9). If you missed having the vaccine when you were at school, you can get it up to the age of 25 years. It's also available for some people who are at increased risk of getting meningitis because of:
StudentsMeningitis can spread very quickly in places like universities and colleges. Make sure all your vaccinations are up to date before starting university or college, including the MenACWY vaccine and both doses of the MMR vaccine. Check your travel riskYou can check the risks of a country you're travelling to on the TravelHealthPro website Who cannot have the MenACWY vaccineMost people can have the MenACWY vaccine. The vaccine should not be given to those who have had:
Getting vaccinated if you're unwellYou can have the MenACWY vaccine if you're unwell but do not have a high temperature. If you have a high temperature, wait until you're feeling better before having the vaccine. MenACWY vaccine ingredientsThere is 1 type of MenACWY vaccine available in the UK. You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflet: How to get the MenACWY vaccineTeenagers are usually given the MenACWY vaccine at school when they're 13 or 14 years old (school year 9). If you missed having the vaccine when you were at school, you can still get it up until the age of 25. Ask your GP about getting vaccinated. College and university studentsIf you're under 25 and you've not had the MenACWY vaccine before, you should ideally have it at least 2 weeks before starting college or university. Ask a GP about getting vaccinated. If you've already started college or university, get the vaccine as soon as possible. Ask at the health centre on campus or register with a GP to get it. How the MenACWY vaccine is givenThe MenACWY vaccine is given as an injection, usually in the upper arm. Most people only need 1 dose of the vaccine. But if you need it because of your job, you may need a booster dose every 5 years. Having the MenACWY vaccine at the same time as other vaccinesThe MenACWY vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, including the MMR and Td/IPV (3-in-1 teenage booster) vaccines. Side effects of the MenACWY vaccineMost side effects of the MenAWCY vaccine are mild and do not last long. Common side effects include:
More serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction are very rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately. The MenACWY vaccines used in the UK do not contain live bacteria, so there's no risk of getting the infections from the vaccine. More about vaccine safetyFind out more about why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself Sexual Health AdviceThroughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:
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