Meningitis ACWY vaccine

Meningitis ACWY Vaccine

You can get Meningitis ACWY Vaccine in Brighton and Hove from our pharmacy.

Please call our pharmacy on 01273 699 883 or ask in store about our Meningitis ACWY Vaccine service.

“Fresher” students going to university for the first time should make sure they’ve had the MenACWY vaccine to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, which can be deadly.

The MenACWY vaccine is also available to prevent groups of meningococcal diseases that occur outside the UK.

If you’re planning to travel to specific high-risk countries, in particular countries in sub-Saharan Africa or for a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, vaccination against the various types of meningococcus should be considered before you travel. You should be vaccinated at least two weeks before you travel and you will need to prove you have been vaccinated if travelling for events like Hajj.

What is the MenACWY vaccine?

The MenACWY vaccine is given by a single injection into the upper arm and protects against 4 strains of the meningococcal bacteria – A, C, W and Y – which cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia).

Why teenagers and students should have the MenACWY vaccine?

Meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) is a rare but life-threatening disease caused by meningococcal bacteria.

Older teenagers and new university students are at higher risk of infection because many of them mix closely with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their nose and throat.

Anyone eligible for the MenACWY vaccine should have it, even if they have previously had the MenC vaccine.

The MenACWY vaccine is highly effective in preventing illness caused by the 4 meningococcal strains, including the extremely harmful MenW strain.

MenACWY vaccine side effects

Like all vaccines, the MenACWY vaccine can cause side effects, but they are generally mild and soon pass.

The most common side effects seen in teenagers and young people are redness, hardening and itching at the injection site, a high temperature (above 38C), headache, feeling sick (nausea) and tiredness (fatigue). These symptoms should last no longer than 24 hours.

Sometimes a small, painless lump develops, but this usually disappears after a few weeks.

Please call our pharmacy on 01273 699 883 or ask in store about our Meningitis ACWY Vaccine service.

Meningitis ACWY vaccine