Meningitis can be caused by a number of different infections, so several vaccinations offer some protection against it.
Children should receive most of these as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.
Speak to your GP if you’re not sure whether you or your child’s vaccinations are up to date.
MenB vaccine
The MenB vaccine offers protection against meningococcal group B bacteria, which are a common cause of meningitis in young children in the UK.
The vaccine is recommended for babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at 1 year.
Find out more about the MenB vaccine
6-in-1 vaccine
The 6-in-1 vaccine, also known as the DTaP/IPV/Hib/Hep B vaccine, offers protection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
Hib are a type of bacteria that can cause meningitis.
The vaccine is given on 4 separate occasions, when children are 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks and 18 months old.
Find out more about the 6-in-1 vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccine
The pneumococcal vaccine offers protection against serious infections caused by pneumococcal bacteria, including meningitis.
Babies are offered the pneumococcal vaccine as 2 separate injections at 16 weeks with a booster given at 1 year of age. A single dose is offered to adults aged 65 or over.
Find out more about the pneumococcal vaccine
MMRV vaccine
The MMR vaccine offers protection against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Meningitis can sometimes occur as a complication of some of these infections.
The vaccine is usually given to children in 2 doses, when they’re 12 months and 18 months old.
Find out more about the MMRV vaccine
MenACWY vaccine
The MenACWY vaccine offers protection against 4 types of bacteria that can cause meningitis: meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y.
The vaccine is offered to teenagers aged 14 years old. It is also offered to people up to the age of 25 who have never had a vaccine containing MenC.