What are the symptoms of meningitis and is there a vaccine?

A college student has died and two people are being treated after cases of meningitis in Reading, Berkshire, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.

It is entirely separate to the outbreak of Meningitis B (MenB) that was linked to a nightclub in Canterbury, Kent, in March.

Close contacts of those affected are being offered antibiotics but there are currently no plans for a local emergency meningitis vaccination programme, unlike in Kent.

What are meningitis and 'invasive' meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

It can affect anyone but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. It can be very serious if not treated quickly.

The cause of the infection - either certain bacteria or viruses - can be determined by tests.

Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis. It can lead to blood poisoning or sepsis, and can affect the brain.

This acute, severe infection is known as invasive meningitis. It means the infection has invaded the blood stream or brain linings.

One of the cases in Reading has been confirmed as bacterial Meningitis B (MenB).

Meningitis B, or MenB, is behind most cases of more severe meningococcal disease in the UK.

Cases happen every year - in 2024-2025, there were 378 cases of invasive meningococcal disease, according to official data.

What meningitis signs should you look out for?

Symptoms can develop suddenly and can include:

What meningitis vaccines are available, and who can get them?

Two vaccines protect against the main causes of meningitis and septicaemia.

The MenACWY vaccine offers protection against four types of bacteria that can cause meningitis - meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y - and is offered to teenagers aged 14 years old. Anyone who missed out can get it for free until their 25th birthday.

The MenB vaccine helps protect against meningococcal group B bacteria and is recommended for babies aged eight weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at one year.

The vaccines do not contain any live bacteria and cannot cause meningitis.

Meningitis can sometimes occur as a complication of some other infections, meaning several other vaccinations can also help protect people.

A six-in-one vaccine given to young children - also known as the DTaP/IPV/Hib/Hep B vaccine - offers protection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

A pneumococcal vaccine offers babies protection against serious infections caused by pneumococcal bacteria, including meningitis.

The MMRV vaccine - which replaced the MMR vaccine in January 2026 - offers infants protection against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.

The MMR vaccine is free for anyone who missed getting it when they were younger, regardless of their age.

Generally, it takes a couple of weeks to get full protection from a vaccine and some require booster doses.

Why aren't teenagers vaccinated against MenB?

The MenB vaccine was added to the UK NHS childhood immunisation programme for babies born on or after 1 July 2015.

That means teenagers and young adults over the age of 11 have not received this jab.

Young babies are vaccinated because they are more likely to get invasive infections more often than other age groups, and their bodies are less likely to be able to fight them off.

However, research suggests the MenB vaccine doesn't necessarily prevent transmission of the infection from person to person, doesn't target all the different B bacteria strains and doesn't provide very long-term protection.

UK vaccine experts have therefore concluded that it isn't cost effective to offer the MenB vaccine to adolescents, and the NHS does not currently offer a catch-up programme.

Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting recently asked the government's vaccination advisers to consider whether that should now change.

How does meningitis spread and how can you stop it?

Outbreaks of meningococcal disease are rare, but can occur in places where large numbers of people group together, such as university campuses or entertainment venues.

Some people carry the bacteria in their nose or throat without getting sick, but can spread it to others through the exchange of spit or saliva in coughs, sneezes and kissing, or by sharing vapes and drinks. Close personal contact is necessary for spread to happen.

The infection can also be spread by someone with meningitis, although this is less common.

It's possible to get meningitis more than once.

The best way to stop the disease spreading is to give antibiotics to people who may have come into contact with it.

Vaccination can also provide some protection from future infection.

What should you do if you think you or a friend has meningitis?

Anyone becoming unwell with symptoms of meningitis or sepsis should seek medical help urgently at the closest Accident and Emergency Department or by dialling 999.

Early treatment can be lifesaving.