All Meningitis Matters

Meningitis is a potentially deadly disease that can kill within 24 hours.

• Deafness, limb loss, brain damage and seizures are among some of the possible devastating after-effects in those that survive meningitis and septicaemia
• Meningitis affects more than 2.8 million people globally each year.
•  Infants, adolescents, older people, and people with weakened immune systems are among those at higher risk.

Bacterial meningitis can be caused by many different types of bacteria.

• Since there are different bacteria that can cause meningitis, there are a variety of vaccines that are needed to protect against it, such as MenC, MenA, MenACWY, MenB, PCV10, PCV13, PPV23 and Hib.
• There is no single ‘meningitis vaccine’ receiving one type of meningitis vaccine will not protect an individual against other strains or types of meningitis.

There are safe and effective vaccines that protect against the most common causes of bacterial and viral meningitis.

• Immunisation is a successful and cost-effective way to protect the whole population. –
• Currently available vaccines could prevent more than 90% of cases of bacterial meningitis.
• Speak to your local healthcare provider to learn which vaccines are available to you.

Not all strains of meningitis are vaccine preventable, so being able to recognise the symptoms is crucial.

• Trust your instincts if you spot: fever, rash, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light or drowsiness.
•  If you think that you or a loved one has meningitis, seek medical attention immediately.

Helpful Links

• Facts about Meningitis 
• CDC – Meningitis 
• WHO- Global Meningitis