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    Home > Learn > Meningitis C > Why vaccinate?

    Why vaccinate?

    Anyone can get meningitis. It is more common in infants and babies but young people and adults especially the elderly are also vulnerable. If you are in an ‘at risk’ group and have not yet been vaccinated, you should consult your doctor or nurse.

    Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against unpleasant and often dangerous diseases. Without vaccinations, you are much more vulnerable to serious infections. It is estimated that between two and three million deaths throughout the world are averted through immunisation each year.444

    Immunisation through the administration of a vaccine stimulates the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. Vaccinations introduced in recent years have gone a long way to reducing the number of cases of meningitis C seen in this country.567

    The UK immunisation programme continues to evolve, meeting the demand to improve the control of infectious diseases through vaccination. Click here to view our interactive wheel showing the current routine childhood vaccinations.

    To find further information on vaccination click here.

    Did you know?

    • Meningitis can kill in under 4 hours424
    • A rash that does not fade when pressure is applied is one of the main symptoms
    • Meningococcal meningitis is the most common form of bacterial meningitis in the UK528
    • Over a million bacteria would fit on a pin head528
    • Viral meningitis is a serious illness, but the majority of people make a full recovery434
    • The number of cases of meningitis caused by group C has reduced by over 90% since routine vaccination was introduced531

    Treatment guidelines

    Treatment of meningitis and septicaemia is a medical emergency.

    • It is a priority to control the infection as soon as possible when this diagnosis is suspected, usually with antibiotics
    • Treatment then differs, according to the type of infection, but is extremely complicated and requires the support of the multidisciplinary medical team in both the acute infective phase and then the recovery

    If you suspect that you, or someone else in your care, has meningitis or septicaemia, seek medical advice immediately.

    FAQs

    To learn more about meningitis C (MenC), the vaccines available and to find answers to many of the most frequently asked questions...

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