Meningitis ACWY
Required for Hajj and Umrah, with the certificate issued on the day; also for the African meningitis belt.
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that causes meningitis and blood poisoning. It comes on fast and can be fatal within hours, even with treatment. The A, C, W and Y strains are the ones that travel: they cause epidemics across the “meningitis belt” of sub-Saharan Africa in the dry season, and have spread among pilgrims to Mecca.
Hajj and Umrah
Saudi Arabia requires every pilgrim to show a certificate of ACWY vaccination given no less than ten days and no more than five years before arrival. We give the vaccine and issue the certificate at the same appointment. A replacement certificate, if you lose yours, is £15.
Other travellers who should consider it
- Anyone travelling to the meningitis belt — from Senegal and Gambia across to Ethiopia — between December and June, especially for longer stays, work with local people, or in crowded conditions.
- Students and backpackers in dormitory accommodation.
- Anyone born before the UK’s teenage MenACWY programme who never had it — a single dose is worth having.
The vaccine
Nimenrix is a single injection, suitable from six weeks of age. Protection begins about ten days later. For the Hajj certificate it is valid for five years; for anyone at ongoing risk a booster is recommended after five years.
Not sure whether you need this one? Book the travel consultation instead and the pharmacist will go through your trip with you.