It is quite possible that most people born in the UK will have more vaccinations against meningitis than they will have for any other condition, which speaks volumes about how vital protection from a potentially life-altering and life-threatening condition is.
Most people will have several vaccines to protect against meningitis from birth up until the age of 25, all of which help to protect against the multiple potential bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi that can cause it.
However, when going to a travel clinic, a pharmacist might advise or even state that you are required to have an additional meningitis vaccine before you are allowed to travel.
When Is Additional Protection Needed?
As early as eight weeks old, babies will have two separate vaccines to protect against meningitis, and by the time someone reaches the age of fourteen, they will have received no fewer than six separate vaccines that protect against the most common causes of meningitis in the UK.
The first of these is MenB, offered at eight weeks with a second dose eight weeks later. This protects against group B bacteria, the most common cause of meningitis in babies and young children.
At the same time as this is the 6-in-1 vaccine, which protects against whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, polio, diphtheria and haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).
One of the biggest and most life-threatening complications of Hib alongside pneumonia, epiglottitis and sepsis is meningitis, an infection of the spinal cord and brain, so that particular part of the 6-in-1 protects against it.
Then there is the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against a separate type of bacteria that can cause meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia as well. It is usually given in two doses; one is given at 12 weeks and the other at a year old.
Following this is the Hib/MenC combined vaccine, also at one year of age, which protects against Hib as noted above but also against group C bacteria which are a common cause of childhood meningitis.
Whilst not directly intended to protect from meningitis, the MMR vaccine helps to protect against measles, mumps and rubella, three infections that spread easily and can cause meningitis as a side effect.
Finally, at 14 years old, there is the quadrivalent vaccine, also known as MenACWY, which protects against group A, group C, group W and group Y bacteria types which are linked to meningitis.
This latter vaccine is what a travel clinic might either recommend or note that you require when travelling depending on your circumstances and whether your chosen travel destination is close to an outbreak location.
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), anyone who is taking either the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca or the Umra pilgrimage, both in Saudi Arabia, must have proof of vaccination against the A, C, W and Y groups covered by the vaccine.
This is not just true of pilgrims but also seasonal workers in the region, and anyone without the vaccine may not be allowed into the country.
As well as this, certain parts of sub-saharan Africa are at a high risk of meningitis, so people staying in a location for over a month, backpackers or people staying in rural communities, healthcare workers and people visiting the savannah during the dry season (December to June) should also get the vaccine as well, and a travel pharmacy will strongly suggest it.