Meningococcal disease

What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease involves bacteria which can lead to purulent meningitis called meningococcal meningitis and sepsis. The disease is characterised by a sudden high fever, nausea, sickness, severe headaches and stiffness of the neck. Consciousness disorders and blood spots under the skin are alarm signs. In the most severe case, the disease can have fatal consequences within only a few hours. 1 in 10 people who contract the disease die from this disease.

The disease is treated with antibiotics and intensive medication. Treatment must be started as soon as possible.

Meningococcal disease is transmitted by infected people as well as healthy bacteria carriers via droplet transmission, therefore primarily through speech, coughing, sneezing or kissing. It takes 2 to 10 days from infection to illness. There are different type of meningococcal disease throughout the world (so-called strains). The disease is more prevalent in some countries than others. The meeting of many people in an extremely small space, such as the pilgrimage to Mecca, facilitates the transmission.

Vaccination advice for children, adults and young people

There are various vaccines which work against the various strains of meningococcal disease. There are vaccines against meningococcal disease strains A, C, W135, Y and B.

The vaccination schedule is dependent on the vaccine used and the aged of the person. Depending on the vaccine, there is a 75% to 100% level of protection against the relevant strains of meningococcal disease. The protection lasts for 3 years to life-long and is dependent on the type of vaccination administered.

A vaccination against meningococcal disease B and C is also available to infants. A vaccination with the combination vaccine against meningococcal diseases A, C, W 135 and Y can be given over the age of 1 Vaccinating using this vaccine is free for children between the ages of 10 and 13.

The meningococcal disease vaccination must otherwise be paid for.

Please discuss the relevant vaccination schedule with your doctor.

Information and consultancy service

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