For travellers, there are available two quadrivalent vaccines – (protecting aginst four strains, A, C, W and Y): “polysaccharide” and “conjugate”. UK authorities recommend the use of the conjugate vaccine, and we can advise you about the choice.
In some areas of the world, the risk of acquiring meningococcal infection particularly of developing serogroup A disease is much higher than in the UK. Individuals who are particularly at risk are visitors who live or travel ‘rough’, such as backpackers, and those living or working with local people.
Additional vaccine information: 1. Many UK travellers will have received meningitis C vaccination in childhood. Meningitis travel vaccine is required in addition to this protection. 2. Large epidemics of both serogroup A and W135 meningococcal infection have occurred in association with Hajj pilgrimages, and proof of vaccination against A, C, W135 and Y serogroups is now a visa entry requirement for pilgrims and seasonal workers travelling to Saudi Arabia.
A single dose.
General issues: A confirmed anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine, or to any constituent of the vaccine, including meningococcal polysaccharide. Specific issues: A confirmed anaphylactic reaction to diphtheria toxoid or the CRM197 carrier protein or tetanus toxoid.
There is no evidence of risk.
For conjugate vaccine, reported reactions included injection site reactions including pain, and redness, headache, nausea, rash and malaise. For polysaccharide vaccine, generalised reactions are rare although pyrexia occurs more frequently in young children than in adults. Injection site reactions occur in approximately 10% of recipients and last for approximately 24 to 48 hours.