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Meningitis ACWY Vaccination
Cases of meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia) caused by a highly virulent strain of Men W bacteria have been rising since 2009.

Older teenagers and new university students are at higher risk of infection because many of them mix closely with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their noses and throats.

Anyone who is eligible for the MenACWY vaccine should have it, even if they've previously had the Men C vaccine.  The MenACWY vaccine is highly effective in preventing illness caused by the four meningococcal strains, including the highly virulent Men W strain.

Schoolchildren
Children aged 13 to 14 (school year 9) are being offered the MenACWY vaccine in school as part of the routine adolescent schools programme, alongside the 3-in-1 teenage booster.

University students
Students going to university or college for the first time, including overseas and mature students, who have not yet had the MenACWY vaccine remain eligible up to their 25th birthday.
They should contact their GP to have the MenACWY vaccine before starting university or college. If that's not possible, they should have it as soon as they can after they arrive.

Older teenagers
The MenACWY vaccine provides important protection, and all teenagers born between 1st September 1998 and 31st August 1999 are advised to arrange vaccination now with their GP.
In addition, anyone born on or after 1st September 1996 who missed their routine school vaccination in school years 9 and 10, or the catch-up MenACWY vaccination programme can get the vaccine from their GP up to their 25th birthday.

How to spot meningitis and septicaemia
Men W disease, like all meningococcal infections, can come on suddenly and progress very quickly.  All meningococcal infections can cause meningitis and septicaemia, but Men W can also cause other illnesses, such as pneumonia and joint infections (septic arthritis).

Early symptoms of meningococcal disease can include:

• severe headache
• diarrhoea/vomiting
• neck stiffness
• severe muscle pain
• fever
• cold hands and feet
• drowsiness, difficulty to wake up 

A rash of tiny red pinpricks may also develop once septicaemia has set in. This rash does not fade under pressure – for instance, when gently pressing a glass against it (the "glass test").

If you, or a child or adult you know, has any of these symptoms, seek urgent medical advice. Don't wait for the rash to develop. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are vital.

Catching up on the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) Vaccine
Adults and children who are not immune because they missed one or all MMR doses when they were younger can have the MMR vaccine. This may include:

• teenagers
• adults
• people travelling
• women preparing for pregnancy
• people exposed to measles during a measles outbreak
  

Teenagers and MMR
Teenagers attending for their 3-in-1 teenage booster are generally asked about their MMR vaccination history. If they missed any doses of MMR vaccine when they were younger, they can be given 2 doses of MMR vaccine on the NHS to protect them.
It's especially important for teenagers leaving home for college to be up to date with the MMR vaccine, as they are at higher risk of mumps.

Adults and MMR
Adults who missed out on the MMR vaccination as a baby and are therefore not immune can have the MMR vaccine. It's given to adults as 2 doses, with the second dose given at least a month after the first.
Some adults may not have received full protection because of changes in the MMR vaccine. Anyone born between 1980 and 1990 may not have received a mumps vaccine, and anyone born between 1970 and 1979 may have only had a measles vaccine. 

Travelling and MMR
Anyone who is travelling to an area known to have had outbreaks of measles, mumps or rubella should receive the MMR vaccine before they go.

Pregnancy and the MMR vaccine
If you're considering becoming pregnant, it's a good idea to check you're fully protected against measles, mumps and rubella. Rubella infection in pregnancy can lead to serious birth defects and miscarriage. 
If you're not sure you've had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, ask your GP practice to check. If you have not had both doses, or there's no record available, you can have the vaccinations at your GP practice.
You should avoid becoming pregnant for 1 month after having MMR vaccination.

MMR during measles outbreaks
In the event of a measles outbreak, the MMR vaccine can be given to protect people who have come into contact with the condition in the previous 3 days. This is because measles antibodies develop more quickly after vaccination than they do after a natural infection.
It is not harmful to have an MMR vaccination if you're already immune. If there's any doubt about whether you have already been vaccinated, go ahead and ask your GP for a catch-up vaccination.