Who should have the vaccination?
What should I do if I suspect that my child has meningococcal disease?
How is the vaccine given?
What if my child becomes unwell after receiving the MenC vaccine?
Why does my child need three doses of the vaccine?
Can the MenC vaccine be given to people with weakened immune systems or those with HIV?
Can I take my baby swimming after their MenC vaccination?
Can this vaccine be given with other vaccines?
What are the most common side effects of the vaccination?
What is meningococcal disease?
Who should have the vaccination?
All babies should receive the MenC injection at three and four months of age, with a further booster dose of the Hib/MenC vaccine at 12 months.
Babies between five months and one year who haven't been vaccinated need two doses at least one month apart in order to be fully protected.
Children and young people aged 1 to 24 years who have not been vaccinated should receive a single dose of the MenC vaccine.
What should I do if I suspect that my child has meningococcal disease?
If you suspect that your child has meningococcal disease, contact your doctor. If you cannot get in touch with your doctor, or you are still worried after getting advice, trust your instincts and take your child to the accident and emergency (A&E) department of your nearest hospital.
Signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia include:
- a severe headache
- fever
- vomiting
- drowsiness
- confusion
- seizures or fits
- intolerance of bright lights, known as photophobia (this is less common in young children)
- a stiff neck (also less common in young children)
- loss of consciousness
How is the vaccine given?
The vaccine is injected into a muscle, usually the thigh in infants and the upper arm in older children, adolescents and adults.
What if my child becomes unwell after receiving the MenC vaccine?
If you are concerned about the health of your child after they have been vaccinated, particularly if they become seriously unwell, consult your GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
Your child might be suffering from an illness that is not related to the vaccine.
Why does my child need three doses of the vaccine?
Three doses are given to make sure your child develops a good immune response to the disease.
Every time another dose of the vaccine is given, the body's immune response is further boosted.
Can the MenC vaccine be given to people with weakened immune systems or HIV?
As this vaccine is not live, it can be given to people with weakened immune systems or HIV. However, these individuals may not produce a full immune response and may only have limited protection against meningococcal C (MenC) disease.
Can I take my baby swimming after their MenC vaccination?
You can take your baby swimming at any time before or after their vaccination.
Can this vaccine be given with other vaccines?
Yes, the MenC vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines.
What are the most common side effects of the vaccination?
The most common side effects are:
- swelling and redness around the injection site
- fever (more common in infants and toddlers)
- vomiting
- irritability (more common in infants and toddlers)
- headaches (older children and adults)
- crying (in infants)
- drowsiness (more common in infants and toddlers)
What is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that commonly affects the lining of the brain (causing meningitis) or the blood (causing blood poisoning).
It is usually spread in droplets that are coughed or sneezed into the air.
