At the Chipping Surgery we are dedicated to providing accurate and responsible information to our patients.
The information below outlines the vaccinations currently available to help protect you against Meningitis. We encourage you to read this information, discuss with your parent/carer if needed, and book appropriate appointments now to ensure you are fully protected. This information is also available at www.thechippingsurgery.co.uk/youth
Meningitis, which can cause sepsis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), is a very serious, potentially life-threatening illness that can lead to life-changing disabilities, such as limb amputations, hearing loss and brain damage.
Meningitis can spread very quickly in places like universities and colleges.
MenACWY
This vaccine is offered to Pupils in year 9 at school as part of the routine immunisation programme. The vaccine is administered at school.
The MenACWY vaccine is given to teenagers to help protect against 4 types of bacteria linked to meningitis.
The medical records we hold at surgery show that you have not received this. It may be that these records are incorrect (there have been instances where the information has not been passed onto us from the Child Immunisation team who are responsible for the school programme). If you or your parent/carer feel you have previously been vaccinated, please contact the Child Immunisation Team on 0300 421 8140 to check this information.
- If it is confirmed you have not received the vaccine, and would now like to do so to be protected as you move onto your next life choice (be that continuing in education or entering the workplace), please use the booking link in the text to book your appointment.
- To decline the vaccine, please respond to the message.
- If you have already received this vaccine, please ask the child immunisation team to send over this information so we can update your medical record here.
MenB
You will not have been previously offered this vaccination. It is now part of the routine childhood vaccinations, but it wasn’t when you were younger. Following recent outbreaks, a catch-up programme is currently being offered to young people of a certain age. The earlier website link will take you to the eligibility criteria.
The MenB vaccine offers protection against other kinds of meningococcal bacteria than the MenACWY vaccine, so getting this additional vaccine is very important.
This catch-up campaign is now being offered by local community Pharmacies – as GP’s we are unable to offer this vaccination. Eligible patients need 2 doses of the vaccine for protection; it’s easy to book at a Pharmacy for this, you can book by calling 119 or online using the link here:
Book a MenB vaccination appointment – NHS
Please visit our website for full information about each of these vaccines, and do not hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.