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meningococcal disease

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Which adults should get vaccinated?

  • Student living in a dormitory
  • Military recruits
  • If you have a damaged spleen or no spleen or a protein disorder called “terminal complement deficiency”
  • Microbiologists routinely exposed to the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease
  • If you are traveling or residing in countries where the disease is common.

About the vaccine


The Men-C vaccine protects against infection from one of the most common types of meningococcal bacteria type C.  

  It's free for children and given at the same time as other childhood vaccinations. Two shots are given to children at 2 and 12 months of age.

  It's also free and recommended for adults with specific medical, occupational or lifestyle risks. Please contact your local public health nurse or doctor to find out if you are eligible for the Men-C vaccine (prescription required).

For more information about the vaccine, who should get it, the benefits and possible reactions, read our BC HealthFile: Meningococcal C Conjugate (Men-C) Vaccine (23a)

Vaccines are very safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get meningococcal disease.

About the disease

  • Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection caused by a germ (or bacteria)
  • Meningococcal infections are serious and life-threatening infections and include meningitis, an infection of the lining that covers the brain, and septicemia, an infection of the blood.
  • For every 100 children who get sick, up to 15 will die.
  • Permanent complications of infection include brain damage and deafness
  • Symptoms include headache, fever and stiff neck. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to bright light A child with meningococcal disease(photophobia), confusion, and a purplish skin rash. Anyone with these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
  • Meningococcal disease is spread from one person to another by coughing, sneezing, or close face-to-face contact. It can also be spread through saliva or spit
  • There is less Meningococcal type C disease in BC because of routine childhood vaccination programs
  • More vaccine preventable disease images.


Photos courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention