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The MenACWY vaccine is given to protect against meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord) and sepsis (a life-threatening reaction to an infection that can harm your whole body). Meningitis and sepsis are life threatening.
Meningitis can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. It can cause life-threatening sepsis and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves. There are 12 known groups of meningococcal bacteria. Meningococcal disease is caused by several groups of meningococcal bacteria, the most common of which in the UK are groups B, C, W and Y.
Everybody is at risk from meningococcal disease, but:
- those aged under 5 are most at risk; and
- teenagers and young adults are the second most at risk group.
Young people aged 13-14 years (school year 9) are routinely offered the MenACWY vaccine alongside the teenage 3-in-1 booster vaccine. These vaccines are free from the NHS as part of the national immunisation programme.
In a few areas, where the vaccine is not given in school, you will be invited to have it at your GP surgery.
Young people who are homeschooled or not in mainstream education may be offered the vaccine at their GP surgery or community vaccination centre. You will need to make an appointment when it is due.
MenACWY vaccine eligibility also includes:
If you are unwell with a temperature on the day of the vaccine, it is best to wait until you are better to have the vaccine, but you should try to have it as soon as possible. If you cannot attend your vaccination appointment, please cancel and rearrange the appointment. A cold or other minor illness is not a reason to delay your vaccine. If in doubt, discuss this with the person giving you your vaccination.
It is important that young people who may have missed the MenACWY vaccine get it as soon as possible. This is important if they are planning to or are already attending college or university. Close mixing in confined spaces with lots of new people can increase the spread of infections. This is the perfect opportunity for infections such as meningococcal disease to spread.
The brand names of the MenACWY vaccines licensed for use in the UK are MenQuadfi® (external site), Menveo® (external site) or Nimenrix®(external site).
The MenACWY vaccination is normally given as an injection in the top of the arm.
The introduction of a MenC vaccine programme in 1999 resulted in a significant reduction of meningococcal disease. This continued following the introduction of the MenACWY vaccine in 2015, with a further reduction in cases of MenC and MenW disease.
In July 2025, the Hib/MenC vaccine given at 12 months was discontinued. This made the MenACWY vaccine given at age 13-14 the only MenC containing vaccine in the routine schedule. Maintaining good uptake levels of the MenACWY vaccine is important to provide protection for young people. This includes catching up on missed vaccinations. Uptake of the MenACWY vaccine also provides herd immunity. Herd immunity is when there is indirect protection by reducing the incidence of the disease across the population.
It is still important to know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and sepsis even if you have the MenACWY vaccine. This is because no vaccine is 100% effective and there are other bacteria that can also cause these illnesses. The MenACWY does not protect against Meningococcal group B disease. Vaccination against MenB disease is offered to babies.
For more information about meningococcal disease and signs and symptoms:
Meningitis signs and symptoms | Meningitis Now (external site)
NHS 111 Wales - Health A-Z : Meningitis (external site)
NHS 111 Wales - Health A-Z : Sepsis (external site)
The MenACWY vaccine offers excellent protection against MenC disease as well as offering additional protection against other meningococcal groups W, A and Y.
All vaccines used in Wales are tested on thousands of people before they are offered to us. Vaccines are safe and effective. The MenACWY vaccine meets all safety standards, and once a vaccine is in use, its safety is closely monitored.
Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them. Most side effects are mild and may last a day or two.
The most common side effects are:
Reports of all side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet for the vaccine. For more information on side effects, go to medicines.org.uk/emc (external site) and type the name of the vaccine.
If your child’s symptoms get worse or if you are concerned, call NHS 111 Wales on 111 or your GP surgery. Calls to NHS 111 Wales are free from landlines and mobile phones.
You should report suspected side effects online at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard (external site), by downloading the Yellow Card app, or by calling 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Rarely, people can have a severe reaction soon after the vaccination, which causes breathing difficulties and may cause them to collapse. This is called an anaphylactic reaction, and it can also happen with other medicines and food. These reactions are extremely rare, affecting less than one in a million people. Staff who give vaccinations are trained to manage these reactions.
People who have an anaphylactic reaction can be successfully treated and usually recover within a few hours.
If you would like to learn more about the MenACWY vaccine or the diseases it protects against, there are resources available to help.
You can also call NHS 111 or speak to your GP practice or school nurse for advice if you have any questions.
Meningitis Research Foundation (external site) is a leading UK, Irish and international charity that brings together people and expertise to defeat meningitis and septicaemia.
Meningitis Now (external site) is a national meningitis charity based in the United Kingdom.