Meningitis B vaccine

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Meningitis B vaccine

The meningitis B vaccine is a new vaccine that 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 16 weeks and a booster at 1 year.
We offer meningitis B vaccine in Ashford and Surrey with same day appointments. Call us today for More information.
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection affecting the brain and spinal cord. There are different groups of meningitis – A, C, W, Y and B are the most common. The UK childhood vaccination schedule includes vaccinations against these five groups, as infants and young people are more vulnerable. Most meningitis infections in the UK are caused by the B and C groups.

Who is at risk of catching Meningitis B?

Meningitis can affect anybody. It’s most common in children, teenagers and young adults aged between 15 and 24. That’s because these groups tend to socialise more at school and universities, which leads to the spreading of bacteria. Outbreaks can happen at any time though and to anybody. Around 20 percent of reported MenB cases are in people aged 45 and over.

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is a serious infection which causes the lining around the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed. It’s usually caused by bacteria or a virus.
Bacterial meningitis can lead to brain damage, deafness, blindness, epilepsy, blood poisoning (septicaemia) and even death.
Meningococcal bacteria are the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK, and can lead to meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia). There are five main groups. Meningococcal group B (MenB) is the most common, accounting for over 54 percent of reported cases of meningococcal meningitis.

Symptoms

Sudden fever, intense headache, nausea, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights. A non-blanching rash appears as the infection worsens.

How is it given: 2 or 3 injections, with or without a booster, depending on age when the course is started.