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Registered Yellow Fever Centre, Cambridge
The meningitis ACWY vaccine protects against four groups of meningococcal bacteria, which can cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia). Proof of vaccination is a visa requirement for Hajj and Umrah, and the vaccine is also recommended for some travellers to parts of Africa. You can book an appointment at Cambridge Travel Clinic and we’ll give you the paperwork you need.
What is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection that can develop quickly. It spreads through close contact, for example coughing, sneezing or sharing living space. The overall risk for most travellers is low, but it is higher where large numbers of people gather or live closely together. Babies, young children and young people are most commonly affected.
The MenACWY vaccine covers groups A, C, W and Y. It does not protect against group B, and there is currently no recommendation for MenB vaccination for travel.
Hajj and Umrah: the certificate requirement
Saudi Arabia requires everyone arriving for Hajj or Umrah, or for seasonal work in the Hajj areas, to show proof of meningococcal ACWY vaccination. According to TravelHealthPro, this applies to pilgrims aged 1 year and over. The key rules are:
The vaccine must be given at least 10 days before you arrive in the Hajj and Umrah areas
A conjugate ACWY vaccine is accepted for 5 years. A polysaccharide vaccine is accepted for 3 years, and polysaccharide ACWY vaccine has not been available in the UK since 2014
If your certificate doesn’t say which type of vaccine you had, it is treated as valid for only 3 years
The certificate should show your full name and the vaccine name and type, and be issued and stamped by the healthcare professional
Carry it with you, as it may be checked at the port of entry
So if you had the vaccine more than 5 years ago, or can’t find a certificate that names the vaccine type, you will need a new dose before you apply. We record the details the Saudi authorities ask for, and can add it to your yellow International Certificate of Vaccination if you have one.
Other health advice for pilgrims
Saudi Arabia also recommends the seasonal flu vaccine for pilgrims. Heat is a real concern when Hajj falls in the summer months, so drink plenty of fluids and avoid direct sun where you can. UKHSA advises avoiding contact with camels and raw camel milk because of MERS. Polio and yellow fever certificates aren’t needed for UK pilgrims flying directly from the UK. See our Umrah and Hajj page for more.
Travel to sub-Saharan Africa
The African "meningitis belt" stretches across 26 countries, from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east. Epidemics usually happen in the dry season, which in West Africa runs roughly from December to June. Some countries further south, including Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, are now seen as extensions of the belt.
The vaccine is recommended for some travellers to these areas, depending on itinerary, particularly:
Long-stay travellers who’ll live or work closely with local people
Healthcare workers
People visiting friends and relatives
Backpackers and people travelling rough
People with no spleen or a poorly working spleen, certain complement disorders, or who take complement-inhibitor medicines are especially vulnerable and should get specific advice. Have a look at our Africa page for other vaccines to consider.
Students and young people
MenACWY is part of the routine UK schedule, usually given at school around age 14. First-year university students living in halls have a higher risk of infection. If you missed the school dose, you stay eligible for a free NHS dose up to your 25th birthday, and the NHS advises having it at least 2 weeks before starting college or university. Your GP surgery is the place to start for this. Having had a MenC vaccine as a child isn’t enough for travel. You still need the ACWY vaccine.
How the vaccine is given
From 1 year of age, including adults: a single injection
Babies under 1 year: two doses, 1 month apart
It is not a live vaccine, so it can be given in pregnancy when the risk makes it worthwhile
Routine boosters for travellers are not currently recommended, though Saudi visa rules mean pilgrims need a new dose after 5 years
Side effects are usually mild and short-lived. They include a sore arm, headache, feeling sick or feeling generally unwell. Serious allergic reactions are very rare. The vaccine shouldn’t be given to anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or an ingredient. If you have a high temperature, it’s best to wait until you’re better.
Book your meningitis ACWY vaccine in Cambridge
Book in good time, at least 10 days before you travel for Hajj or Umrah, and earlier if you need other travel vaccines as well. We’ll check stock when you book so it’s ready for your appointment. Our fees are on the pricing page.
Every appointment is with one of our pharmacists. We check your whole itinerary against current UK guidance and go through every vaccine and travel medicine you might need in one visit.
We have two branches, and both are registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres. Cambridge Travel Clinic at Petersfield Pharmacy, 56 Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 2AS (01223 354383), is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Book at Mill Road online. Cambridge Travel Clinic at Waterbeach Pharmacy, 5 Greenside, Waterbeach, Cambridge CB25 9HW (01223 564422), is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm and 1:30pm to 5:45pm. Book at Waterbeach online.
We see travellers from Cambridge, Cherry Hinton, Trumpington, Chesterton, Histon, Milton, Cottenham, Waterbeach and nearby villages. We’re happy to talk through your plans, however close your departure.