Meningitis Information

Due to the unfortuante recent reports of Meningitis cases in Kent, the Practice has recieved many call's from parents who are naturally concerned. 

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacteria or viruses.

• Bacterial meningitis is serious and requires urgent treatment.

• Viral meningitis is usually less severe but can still make people very unwell.

Anyone can get meningitis, but the groups most at risk are:

• Babies and young children

• Teenagers and young adults

• Older adults

• People with weakened immune systems

Further information can be found on the following sites:-

NHS 111 Wales - Health A-Z : Meningitis

Symptoms of Meningitis

Symptoms can develop quickly and may appear in any order.

Common symptoms include

• High temperature (fever)

• Severe headache

• Neck stiffness

• Sensitivity to light

• Nausea or vomiting

• Confusion

• Drowsiness or difficulty waking

Symptoms in babies and young children

• High-pitched cry

• Refusing feeds

• Vomiting

• Pale, mottled or blotchy skin

• Bulging soft spot on the head

• Floppiness or unresponsiveness

Rash

A non-blanching rash (one that does not fade when pressed with a glass) may occur with meningococcal meningitis.

⚠️ Do not wait for a rash before seeking help.

When to Seek Urgent Medical Help

Call 999 or attend A&E immediately if someone has:

• A rash that does not fade when pressed

• Difficulty waking or extreme drowsiness

• Confusion

• Seizures

• Severe headache with neck stiffness

• Sensitivity to light

• Cold hands and feet with limb pain

• Vomiting with fever and unusual sleepiness

Trust your instincts — if someone is seriously unwell, seek urgent medical help.

Missed or Delayed Vaccines

If you are unsure whether you or your child are up to date with vaccinations, please contact the practice and we can run through the vaccinations on record and provide a print out.

For anyone 16 and over, you can request access via the NHS Wales App, please allow at least 36hrs for this to be actioned.  Unfortunatly this function is not available for children in Wales at this present time. 

If you are not signed up to the NHS Wales App, please follow this link.

NHS Wales App 

Vaccination Chart 

**Men B is offered routinly to babies.  Patients calling regarding the Men B vaccine for teenagers and adults will need to source this privatly via a Pharmacy.  Places such as Boots and Superdrug offer the vaccine for a fee. 

Prior Vaccines Related to Meningitis 

Walk-in meningitis vaccines for teenagers and young people

Catch-up clinics are being held for teenagers and young adults who have not had an important meningitis vaccination.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is holding walk-in clinics for young people in Year 9 and up to the age of 25 who have previously missed their MenACWY vaccination appointment.

Walk-in clinics are being held every Saturday (starting March 21) until further notice at the following locations:

Barry Hospital, Colcot Road, CF62 8YH (9am-4.30pm)
Maelfa Wellbeing Hub, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, CF23 9PN (9am-4.30pm)

Young people aged 13-14 (school Year 9) are invited by GPs in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to receive this vaccine as part of their routine schedule but sometimes these appointments can get missed.

The MenACWY vaccine protects against meningococcal disease type A, C, W and Y.

While rare, meningococcal disease can be very serious and require urgent hospital treatment. It can lead to life-changing disabilities such as amputations, hearing loss, brain damage and scars.

If parents of younger children would like information about their meningitis B and pneumococcal vaccination status - both of which are given to children as part of their routine vaccination schedule up to the age of 2 - please call the vaccination service on 02921 841234 (lines open Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).

You can also book any missed doses with your GP.