What is meningitis? Symptoms, risks and how to protect yourself – UK Health Security Agency

 Meningitis - NHS

Can meningitis be prevented?

Several vaccines offered free of charge by the NHS can help protect against certain causes of meningitis and septicaemia:

• MenB vaccine: For babies given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 1 year
• 6-in-1 vaccine: For babies given at 8, 12 and 16 weeks
• Pneumococcal vaccine: Two doses for babies given at 16 weeks and 1 year; single dose for adults aged 65+
• Hib/MenC vaccine: For babies given at 1 year (if born on or before 30 June 2024)
• MMR vaccine: For babies given at 1 year, with a second dose at 18 months
• MenACWY vaccine: For teenagers aged 13 to 14

 

The Men B vaccine does not protect against all MenB bacterium types. This is why we always raise awareness of signs and symptoms alongside the available vaccines.

 

Am I protected from MenB by childhood vaccines (MenACWY)?

The MenB vaccine was added to the NHS immunisation schedule for infants in 2015, providing protection for babies and young children in the UK. It is separate from the MenACWY.

If you are a teenager or young adult born before 1 May 2015, you will not have received the MenB vaccine as part of the NHS schedule.

 

What should I do if I’ve missed my meningitis vaccine?

To get the most benefit, it is important for you or your child to have your vaccines when they are offered or as close to that time as possible.  Young children who have missed one or more dose of the MenB vaccine can have this free of charge before their second birthday and missed MMR or MMRV vaccine doses can be given at any age.

 

Teenagers can arrange to have vaccines they have missed. This is especially important before starting university or college. If that’s not possible, they should make arrangements with their new GP as soon as they can after term begins. All GP practices should be able to offer free missed MenACWY to students who are under 25 years as well as MMR vaccines to eligible students. International students in the same age group are also eligible for these routine vaccines.

 

If you were born before 1 May 2015, there is no NHS catch up programme for the MenB vaccine.

 

What is Meningitis? 

Meningococcal infection is a rare but serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) or septicaemia (blood poisoning).

 

Symptoms of Meningitis and Septicaemia: 

Symptoms can appear in any order and may worsen quickly. They can include:

• A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass
• Sudden high temperature (fever)
• Severe or worsening headache
• Stiff neck
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Joint or muscle pain
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Very cold hands and feet
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking
• Seizures

Not everyone will develop all symptoms, and they can progress rapidly.

 

When to seek urgent medical help

If you or someone you are with develops symptoms of meningitis or sepsis, seek urgent medical help.

• Call 999 immediately or attend your nearest Emergency Department.
• Do not wait for all symptoms to appear.
• If you are unsure whether symptoms are serious, call NHS 111 for advice.

 

 

Who needs to take action?

Public health teams are contacting close contacts of confirmed cases directly and providing antibiotics where necessary.

A close contact usually means prolonged close contact in a household-type setting during the 7 days before the person became ill. Examples include:

• People living or sleeping in the same household
• Partners or intimate contacts
• Students sharing a kitchen or accommodation in halls of residence

 

If you are a University of Kent student who believes you may be a close contact but have not yet been contacted, please follow the university’s advice and attend the designated location on campus for assessment and antibiotics. https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/student-news/2026/03/15/urgent-meningococcal-meningitis-outbreak/

Published: Mar 16, 2026