Meningitis is an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meninges). Children and adolescents are most at risk for meningitis, but it can affect anyone. When left untreated, meningitis can be very serious. The infection can result in septicaemia and deadly blood poisoning, leading to permanent brain or nerve damage. Currently, numerous vaccines provide protection against meningitis. At The Travel Health clinic, we provide the Meningitis vaccine in Birmingham, keeping you and your family protected.

Symptoms of meningitis

Meningitis symptoms appear suddenly, and they include:

– A stiff neck
– Headache
– Being sick
– Fever
– A rash
– Seizures (fits)
– An adverse reaction to bright lights
– Drowsiness

Meningitis symptoms show in no particular order, and they don’t all necessarily appear at once.

What are the various types of Meningitis vaccine in Birmingham?

Several different infections can be responsible for meningitis, so it requires a number of vaccinations to avoid it. Check out the various meningitis vaccines below.

Meningitis B vaccine

Children in the UK often contract meningitis from bacteria of the meningococcal group B, which is a common cause of the disease. The meningitis B vaccine protects against these bacteria.

The vaccine is givenHe In Wigan to babies at the age of 8 weeks, with the second dose coming at the age of 16 weeks, and finally a booster at 1 year.

6-in-1 vaccine

The 6-in-1 vaccine, also referred to as the DTaP/IPV/Hib/Hep B vaccine, protects against tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and polio.

Hib is a type of bacteria responsible for some cases of meningitis.

This vaccine is administered on 3 different occasions, the first when babies are 8 weeks old, the second at 12 weeks, and lastly at 16 weeks.

Pneumococcal vaccine

Just as the name suggests, the pneumococcal vaccine protects against severe infections resulting from pneumococcal bacteria, meningitis included.

From the first day of 2020, newborn babies receive the vaccine at 12 weeks as 2 different injections. They get a booster at the age of 1 year. Babies born prior to this date would be administered with 3 doses, the first at 8 weeks, followed by 16 weeks, and the booster at 1 year.

Hib/Men C vaccine

This vaccine provides protection against some kinds of bacteria known as meningococcal group C, which can lead to meningitis.

Hib/Men C vaccination is for babies at the age of 1 year. Another dose of the vaccine is provided to teenagers and new university students. This protects them against meningococcal group C bacteria under the combined meningitis ACWY vaccine.

MMR vaccine

The MMR vaccine not only keeps you safe from mumps and measles but also rubella. Sometimes, meningitis can arise as a complication due to these infections.

The vaccine is administered to babies in two doses, with the first at the age of 1 year and the second at the age of 3 years and 4 months.

Meningitis ACWY vaccine

The vaccine protects against meningococcal groups A, C, W, and Y, the four types of bacteria responsible for meningitis.

The vaccination is beneficial for young teenagers, sixth-formers, and students going to university for the first time.

Get in touch with your GP to find out if your child’s vaccinations against meningitis are up-to-date.

Check out information on Hajj and Umrah vaccinations in our previous blog post here:

Hajj and Umrah Vaccinations

How long does the meningitis vaccine last?

The vaccine should offer protection for up to 5 to 10 years. Nevertheless, you need a booster vaccine to keep the immune system intact.

Get in touch to book your appointment with us for your Meningitis vaccination today!

Get vaccinated Meningitis Vaccine

This blog post was written on behalf of The Travel Health Clinic by Pharmacy Mentor.