MenACWY vaccine overview

"Fresher" students going to university for the first time should make sure they've had the MenACWY vaccine to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, which can be deadly.

The MenACWY vaccine is also routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10.

This page covers information for England. If you live in, or are going to university in, other areas of the country, choose from the links below:

MenACWY in Wales
MenACWY in Scotland
MenACWY in Northern Ireland

What is the MenACWY vaccine?

The MenACWY vaccine is given by a single injection into the upper arm and protects against 4 strains of the meningococcal bacteria – A, C, W and Y – which cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia).

The MenACWY vaccine is called Nimenrix.

At what age should teenagers and young people have the vaccine?

Children aged 13 to 15 (school Years 9 or 10) are routinely offered the MenACWY vaccine in school alongside the 3-in-1 teenage booster.

Young people

Anyone born on or after 1 September 2024 who was eligible but missed their teenage MenACWY vaccine can still have the vaccine up to their 25th birthday.

If they're still at school, they should talk to their school nurse.

If they've left school (including people who have started apprenticeships or joined the armed forces), they should make an appointment with their GP practice.

University students

Any university student born on or after 1 September 2024 who was eligible but missed their teenage MenACWY vaccine can still have the vaccine up to their 25th birthday.

Students going to university or college for the first time, including overseas and mature students, who have not yet had the MenACWY vaccine remain eligible, as freshers (first-year students), up to their 25th birthday.

Students should contact their GP to have the MenACWY vaccine before starting university or college. If that's not possible, they should have it as soon as they can after they begin university.

Find out if you can have the MenACWY vaccine with the Meningitis Research Foundation's eligibility checker.

Why teenagers and students should have the MenACWY vaccine

Meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) is a rare but life-threatening disease caused by meningococcal bacteria.

Older teenagers and new university students are at higher risk of infection because many of them mix closely with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their nose and throat.

Anyone who is eligible for the MenACWY vaccine should have it, even if they have previously had the MenC vaccine.

The MenACWY vaccine is highly effective in preventing illness caused by the 4 meningococcal strains, including the extremely harmful MenW strain.

The dangers of meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease can cause both meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). Septicaemia and meningitis can trigger sepsis, which is a life-threatening response to infection.

Meningococcal disease is rare but very serious. It requires urgent hospital treatment.

It can lead to life-changing disabilities, such as amputations, hearing loss and brain damage.

The MenACWY vaccine was previously recommended only for people at increased risk of meningococcal disease, including people who have had their spleen removed, or have a spleen that does not work properly, for Hajj pilgrims, and for travellers to countries with high rates of meningococcal disease, including parts of Africa and Latin America.

Read about having the MenACWY vaccine before travelling on our page about travel vaccinations.

MenACWY vaccine effectiveness

The MenACWY vaccine is highly effective against serious infections caused by 4 different strains of meningococcal (A, C, W and Y).

The vaccine contains only the sugar coating found on the surface of the 4 types of meningococcal bacteria. It works by triggering the body's immune system to develop antibodies against these sugar coatings without causing disease.

MenACWY vaccine side effects

Like all vaccines, the MenACWY vaccine can cause side effects, but they are generally mild and soon pass.

The most common side effects seen in teenagers and young people are redness, hardening and itching at the injection site, a high temperature (above 38C), headache, feeling sick (nausea) and tiredness (fatigue). These symptoms should last no longer than 24 hours.

Sometimes a small, painless lump develops, but this usually disappears after a few weeks.

Who should not have the MenACWY vaccine?

You should not have the MenACWY vaccine if you are allergic to the vaccine or any of its ingredients.

You should also check with the doctor or nurse before having the MenACWY vaccine if you:

• have a bleeding problem, such as haemophilia, or bruise easily
• have a high temperature
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

How do meningococcal bacteria spread?

Meningococcal disease is caused by 13 different groups of meningococcal bacteria.

In the UK, the disease is almost always caused by 1 of 4 meningococcal groups commonly known as MenB, MenC, MenW or MenY. These can be prevented with vaccination.

MenA disease is rare in the UK, but it's more common in other parts of the world. It can also be prevented by vaccination.

The meningococcal bacteria live in the back of the nose and throat in about 1 in 10 people without causing any symptoms or illness.

Older teenagers are most likely to carry and spread the meningococcal bacteria.

The bacteria are spread from person to person by prolonged close contact – such as coughing, kissing or sneezing – with someone who is carrying the bacteria.

Very occasionally, the meningococcal bacteria can cause serious illness, including meningitis and septicaemia, which can rapidly lead to sepsis.

Meningococcal infections can happen at any age, but babies, young children and teenagers are especially vulnerable.

Babies, older people and the MenACWY vaccine

The MenACWY vaccine is currently recommended for teenagers as they are most likely to carry the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their noses and throats.

The MenACWY vaccine protects teenagers when they're most at risk of meningococcal disease. It also stops them carrying and spreading the bacteria to other people.

Vaccinating teenagers should also help protect other people, including babies and older people, against meningococcal disease, including the extremely harmful MenW strain.

How to spot meningococcal disease

Symptoms of meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) can start like a bad case of flu but they get worse very quickly. Early treatment can be lifesaving.

Other symptoms of meningococcal disease can include:

• a headache
• vomiting
• a stiff neck
• muscle and joint pain
• a high temperature
• cold hands and feet
• drowsiness or difficulty waking up

A rash may also appear that can develop into a purple, bruise-like rash that does not fade under pressure – for instance, when gently pressing a glass against it (the "glass test").

If you, or a child or adult you know, has any of these symptoms, get urgent medical help. Do not wait for the rash to develop. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are vital.

Although meningococcal disease commonly causes meningitis and septicaemia, which can trigger sepsis, it can also more rarely cause other illnesses. These include pneumonia and joint infections (septic arthritis).

Find out more about meningitis.

Other vaccines against meningococcal disease

Several bacteria can cause meningitis and septicaemia, some of which can be prevented through vaccination.

The Hib/MenC vaccine is offered as part of the NHS vaccination programme to all babies after their 1st birthday.

The MenB vaccine (Bexsero) is offered as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme to all babies at 8 and 16 weeks, with a booster after their 1st birthday.