Travel Health Service Meningococcal meningitis

Vaccine and prophylaxis

Vaccination schedule

Meningococcal vaccines, including quadrivalent polysaccharide conjugate vaccines (MenACWY) and a recombinant protein vaccine (MenB), are available in Hong Kong. The vaccination schedule for meningococcal vaccines varies based on the vaccine type and the age of the recipient. A protective antibody response usually occurs within 10 days of vaccination.

Recommendations

Based on the risk of infection, the following groups of travellers are recommended to receive meningococcal vaccines for personal protection:

  • Travellers to sub-Saharan regions of Africa during the dry season (i.e. December to June) should consult their doctors to receive quadrivalent MenACWY vaccine;
  • Travellers to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah should receive quadrivalent MenACWY vaccine;
  • Travellers to other areas with reported meningococcal disease epidemics or outbreaks should receive vaccine that aligns with the destination’s prevalent serogroups;
  • Long-term travellers, such as those studying abroad, should receive meningococcal vaccination per the recommendations by the health authorities in the destination country.

Travellers should seek professional advice from doctors for vaccination in view of the individual's age and health condition, and details of the journey such as place, duration and nature.

Special note for people planning to travel for pilgrimage

Travellers aged 1 year or above visiting Saudi Arabia for Hajj, Umrah or for seasonal work in Hajj zones should bring along certificate of vaccination with the quadrivalent (serogroups A,C,Y & W135) meningococcal vaccine. For ACWY polysaccharide vaccine, the certificate should not exceed 3 years and not less than 10 days prior to arrival. For ACWY conjugated vaccine, the certificate should be within 5 years and at least 10 days prior to arrival. If vaccine type is not indicated on the certificate, it will be considered valid for 3 years only. Further information is available on the website of the Ministry of Health of the Saudi Arabia (https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Pages/Default.aspx).

Adverse reactions

Commonly reported adverse reactions include local injection site reactions (e.g. pain, redness, swelling), headache, fatigue, myalgia and fever.

Contraindications

It should not be administered to people who have history of severe allergic reactions to the vaccine or its components.