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Meningococcal disease is caused by invasive infection with the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. There are 12 identified capsular groups of which groups B, C, W and Y are the most common in the UK. Following the introduction of the routine MenC vaccination programme in the UK, cases of invasive meningococcal disease caused by group C reduced dramatically. Group B now accounts for the majority of cases. Meningococcal disease is a notifiable disease (external site) in Wales.
Meningococcal disease is transmitted by respiratory aerosols, droplets or by direct contact with the respiratory secretions of someone carrying the bacteria. The incubation period is usually around 3-5 days and the onset of disease varies from severe and sudden onset with acute and overwhelming features, to insidious with mild prodromal symptoms.
MenACWY vaccination is routinely offered to adolescents in year 9 (aged 13-14 years). The vaccine is usually delivered in school-based vaccination sessions across most areas in Wales. It may be offered in primary care or community vaccination centres in areas that do not offer a school-based service, or for young people who are unable to access the school-based programme.
If individuals do not initially take up the offer of vaccination, they remain eligible for vaccination until their 25th birthday.
Since the removal of the MenC dose during early childhood (external site) in July 2025 (JCVI, Welsh Government), the MenACWY vaccine is the only MenC containing vaccine given as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule for Wales. The MenACWY vaccine provides direct protection for young people, and indirect protection by reducing the incidence of the disease across the population (herd immunity).
It is therefore important to maintain good uptake of the MenACWY vaccine, and offer opportunities for those who have missed to catch up.
Other individuals deemed to be at increased risk of meningococcal disease may also be eligible for the MenACWY conjugate vaccine. Those at increased risk due to a medical condition or treatment, travel, occupational exposure or close contact with a case of meningococcal disease are outlined in the Green Book chapter - Meningococcal (external site).
The MenACWY vaccines licensed for use in the UK are the conjugate vaccines MenQuadfi®, Menveo® or Nimenrix®. These vaccines offer protection against meningococcal capsular groups A, C, W and Y. MenACWY vaccines are non-live vaccines.
MenQuadfi® is currently the vaccine used in Wales as part of the routine vaccination programme and is licensed from 12 months of age.
MenQuadfi® is supplied as a solution for injection, and should be given by intramuscular injection, preferably into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm.
MenACWY vaccination is usually offered at the same time as the teenage 3-in-1 booster vaccine. Most inactivated vaccines can usually be administered at any time before, after, or at the same time as each other, unless stated otherwise. Doses of inactivated vaccines can also be given at any interval before, after, or at the same time as a live vaccine.
Where two or more injections are administered at the same time, they should be given at separate sites, preferably in a different limb. If more than one injection is to be given in the same limb, they should be administered at least 2.5cm apart.
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. You should report suspected adverse reactions of vaccines and medicines online at mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard (external site), by downloading the Yellow Card app, or by calling 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
The schedule guidance in the Meningococcal Green Book (external site) supersedes the SmPC.
Vaccination programme recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and Welsh Government policy can be found at the links below.
Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation - GOV.UK (read JCVI publications and statements; search e.g. meningococcal)
Information and training resources for health professionals are provided on the Training Resources and Events page.
Online courses for health professionals involved in vaccination can be accessed via ESR and are linked from the Immunisation eLearning - Public Health Wales page.
PGD templates for vaccines can be found on the Patient group directions (PGDs) and protocols page.
The Complete Routine Immunisation Schedule includes information about routine and selective immunisation programmes and additional vaccines that may need to be considered for individuals with underlying medical conditions.