Why do teenagers need a meningitis vaccine?

Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE

If you are under the age of 25 and have not been immunised, see your doctor or practice nurse to get immunised. This is particularly important if you are about to start university for the first time, as the risk of infection with group W meningococcus is highest in first-year university students. Just one injection of vaccine is needed if you are over the age of 1 year.

For more information on the meningitis vaccine, go to /health/meningitis-leaflet/meningococcal-meningitis-vaccine