jump to navigation | jump to content

Ask The Travel Doctor-TMVC

Q:  About 6 years ago at school, I was vaccinated, along with all the kids in my class, with meningitis vaccine. Does this mean we are now protected against this disease? On your website you say it is needed for some places in Africa.         

Nikki, Parramatta

 

A: In recent years, there has been a Government-funded program to vaccinate persons at school with the Meningitis-C conjugate vaccine, that is now part of the baby vaccine program. This was a catch-up, so that those students at school get immunity against the type C strain of disease which has an increased risk of transmission in young adults, particularly at schools and universities.

This is different to the travellers Meningitis vaccine, which is made up of 4 strains which can infect travellers, A, C, Y and W strains. This vaccine gives good protection for 2 or 3 years, and is used especially for travellers to the “meningococcal belt” in sub-Saharan Africa.      

Dr Tony

 

Disclaimer: Information provided in this health column is of a general nature & should not replace specific advice from your own personal Travel doctor-TMVC consultation.
Not all questions submitted to the website will be answered & Users of this website should always seek the advice of a qualified health professional with any questions they have regarding their health or a medical condition.