ACWY Meningitis Vaccination Package
There are a number of vaccines that can prevent many types of viral and bacterial meningitis and Burns Chemist extends it’s Travel Clinic by offering a meningococcal (ACWY) vaccination package to travellers of high risk areas.
Meningitis vaccines for travellers
Meningococcal bacteria groups A, W and Y are more common in Saudi Arabia and Africa and if you’re travelling abroad, you can be vaccinated against groups A, C, W and Y.
Vaccination against groups A, C, W and Y meningitis is recommended if you’re travelling to a high-risk area and you’ll be:
- staying for longer than one month backpacking
- living with locals in rural areas attending the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages (religious journeys to Mecca, the centre of the Islamic world) in Saudi Arabia
- doing seasonal work in the Hajj area of Saudi Arabia
Visitors arriving in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, and seasonal workers in the Hajj area, require proof of vaccination against groups A, C, W and Y meningitis.
For up-to-date information about which areas are considered to be high risk see:
- NHS Fit for Travel
- the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)
The vaccine
The conjugate ACWY meningococcal vaccine will protect you against groups A, C, W and Y meningitis. It should be given two or three weeks before you travel.
For adults and children over five years of age, a single dose provides protection for about five years. For children who were under five when they were first vaccinated, the vaccine provides protection for 2-3 years.
For infants less than one year old, an initial dose is followed by a second dose one month later. Children over one year of age only require a single dose.
Side effects
About 1 in 10 people experience soreness and redness at the injection site after having the ACWY meningococcal vaccine. This usually lasts around 24 to 48 hours.
Mild fever can also occur, although this is usually more common in young children than in adults. Severe reactions are very rare.
