When is meningitis (ACWY®) vaccination indicated for travellers?
• Vaccination with meningitis ACWY® is recommended prior to travel to areas with a high risk for Group A meningococcal meningitis for: • People staying for extended time periods, such as 1 month or more. • People engaging in high-risk holidays or work, such as backpacking or living in rural communities. • People attending the Hajj (Mecca) and Umrah pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia (since there have been epidemics in recent years in these areas). • People undertaking seasonal work in the Hajj area. • Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination with ACWY Vax® for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, or for seasonal working in the Hajj areas. • Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine is part of the childhood immunization programme (see Immunizations – childhood for more information). This vaccine protects against group C disease only. Travellers should be immunised with the quadrivalent polysaccharide vaccine (ACWY®), even if they have previously received the Meningococcal conjugate
