Meningococcal Disease

Meningococcal Disease

Symptoms of Meningococcal Disease

Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis and septicaemia. It can become serious very quickly, so it’s important to know the symptoms.

Common symptoms include:

  • High temperature
  • Rapid breathing
  • Vomiting, diarrhoea, or stomach cramps
  • Severe headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Dislike of bright light
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Pale, blotchy skin
  • Rash (including a bruising rash)
  • Confusion or irritability
  • Drowsiness or difficulty waking
  • Seizures (fits)
  • Joint or muscle pain

Symptoms can appear in any order and may feel like flu at first. However, people with meningococcal disease can become seriously ill within a few hours.

Get medical help urgently if symptoms worsen:

  • Contact your GP or call NHS 111
  • Attend A&E or dial 999 in an emergency

Trust your instincts—early treatment can save lives.

Further Information and Support

Can Meningitis Be Prevented?

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against many types of meningitis. These vaccines are provided free by the NHS.

Who is eligible?

  • MenB vaccine
    • Babies at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 1 year
    • Catch-up available only before age 2
  • 6-in-1 vaccine
    • Babies at 8, 12, and 16 weeks
  • Pneumococcal vaccine
    • Babies (2 doses)
    • Adults aged 65+
  • Hib/MenC vaccine
    • Babies at 1 year (if born on or before 30 June 2024)
  • MMR vaccine
    • At 1 year and 18 months
    • Catch-up available at any age
  • MenACWY vaccine
    • Teenagers aged 13–14 (school Years 9–10)
    • Free catch-up via GP for under 25s

Please note

  • The MenB vaccine does not protect against all MenB strains.
  • If you were born before May 2015, you will not have received MenB routinely.

Missed Vaccinations

If you or your child have missed vaccines:

  • Contact your GP to arrange a catch-up
  • MMR (catch up available any age) and MenACWY (under 25 only) 
  • Particularly important before starting university or college

There is no NHS catch-up programme for MenB if born before May 2015, but it is available privately.

Private MenB Vaccination

The MenB vaccine is available privately through pharmacies, private GP services, and travel clinics.

  • For those aged over 2 years: 2 doses are required

Local Immunisation Clinics

The South London Children and Young People’s Community Immunisation Service offers:

  • 3-in-1 teenage booster (DTP)
  • MenACWY vaccine (Year 9 students, aged 13–14)
  • MMR vaccine (for missed doses)

Please note this is a catch up clinic for secondary school aged children who have missed the above vaccinations at school. 

Book an appointment
Page last reviewed: 21 March 2026