Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine

Who should have the MenACWY vaccine

We recommend that teenagers and "fresher" students going to university for the first time, up to the age of 25, ensure they've had the MenACWY vaccination. This protects against meningitis and septicaemia, caused by the Meningococcal strains ACWY, which can be fatal.

Pupils in school year 9 are offered the MenACWY vaccine. This means that most teenagers in Jersey have been vaccinated before leaving school and don't need any further vaccination before going to university.

You only need one vaccine dose for protection.

If you didn't receive the vaccine or if you're unsure

If you're unsure if you had this vaccine, telephone your GP surgery. They have a list of those who have received the vaccine. You can also contact the Immunisation team, who can check your record.

If you haven't had the vaccine, we can arrange it for you if:

you're going to university for the first time
you've missed out on this vaccine protection during your school years

Contact the Immunisation Team if you need to book into a catch-up clinic.

Why this age group need the vaccine

In recent years, there's been an increase in the number of cases of meningococcal W (MenW) disease in the UK. This disease has a higher death rate than other strains of meningitis. In response to this outbreak, the MenACWY vaccine was introduced in the UK and Jersey in Autumn 2015.

Fresher university students, up to age 25, have a higher risk of infection because many of them mix with lots of new people. Some of them may carry meningococcal bacteria without knowing.

This age group is at higher risk of getting meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning) from MenW. Both diseases are very serious and can kill if not diagnosed early.

Find out more about MenACWY vaccine and Meningitis on NHS Choices website. Details about other vaccines are also available on the School age vaccinations page.

MenACWY vaccines used

You will be offered one of two MenACWY vaccines, which all offer good protection. They are called MenQuadfi and Nimenrix, for more information see the patient Information leaflets:

Vaccine protectection against MenB

MenACWY vaccine doesn't protect against MenB as it is caused by different group of the bug which commonly affects young infants. A different vaccine, which protects against MenB, is given to very young babies. Some adults and older children considered at risk may also be eligible.

Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine

Vaccine boosters

You will probably not need further boosters of MenACWY vaccine. However, you may need extra doses of some vaccines if you are visiting certain countries. Check with your practice nurse at your GP surgery. If you have an injury, you may need another tetanus injection.

How the Td/IPV and MenACWY vaccines are given

You will have 2 injections, normally at the same time. 1 in each upper arm, or 2.5cm apart in the same 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.

When you are having your TdIPV and MenACWY vaccines, you should check with the nurse or doctor that all your other vaccines are up to date including MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) as some teenagers have not had 2 doses of MMR. If you have never had the MMR vaccine, you should have one dose now and another one month later, to give you the best protection.

Information leaflets

Read more information on the leaflets for more details on the vaccines used, including possible side effects. You can also visit the Yellow Card: Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency website where you can report suspected side effects.

What is Meningitis and Septicaemia

Meningitis is dangerous swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. It can be the result of infection with bacteria or a virus or as a result of injury. Septicaemia is when bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause blood poisoning. Both of these conditions 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. Meningococcal disease can cause both meningitis and septicaemia.

There are 5 main groups of meningococcal bacteria that cause disease:

MenA
MenB
MenC
MenW
MenY

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.

Signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia

Many of the early signs diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, aches, general tiredness and headaches, these are also signs of less serious illnesses like colds and fu. Someone with meningitis and septicaemia will usually become seriously ill in a matters of hours. This is why it is important to keep checking on someone who is ill so you spot if they are getting rapidly worse. It's also important to look for cold hands and feet. Symptoms such as a rash that doesn't fade following a 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 mottled skin
rapid breathing
diarrhoea and stomach cramps
red or purple 'bruised' or blotchy rash on skin that do not fade under pressure. On dark skin, check the eyelids or the roof of the mouth where spots may be more visible. Do a 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
difficulty walking or standing
severe sleepiness, losing consciousness

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) for advice if you have any concerns. If you become worried, particularly if symptoms are getting worse, seek medical help urgently at the A and E Department or by dialling 999. Early treatment can be life-saving.

Early symptoms of meningitis

The early symptoms of meningitis are like flu symptoms. You need to be able to recognise the symptoms quickly, even if you've been vaccinated. The vaccine can't protect against all forms of the disease.

Learn more about meningitis symptoms at the Meningitis Research Foundation.