New Meningitis Vaccination For Teenagers

New meningitis vaccination programme for 14 to 18 year olds gets underway in Scotland.

The Scottish Government announced the MenACWY vaccine earlier this year in response to a rise in the number of cases of meningitis W.

The vaccine will also be offered to students under the age of 25 attending university for the first time this Autumn, along with a catch-up programme for all 14 to 18 year olds.

Those planning to go to university are urged to make an appointment at least two weeks before they go or, failing that, during freshers’ week.

From this week, older teenagers will start receiving an invitation letter and information leaflet, asking those who have left school to get the vaccine at their GP practice as soon as possible.

Young people returning to school in August will receive their vaccine in school during the coming academic year.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said:

"The launch of the MenW vaccine prevention programme for teenagers is great news. This vaccine also protects against MenA, MenC and MenY, making sure young people are protected at such an important time in their academic lives."