A new Meningitis vaccine has just been launched, which may well be helpful for anyone considering travelling to a small sporting event being held in South Africa this Summer, as well as potentially benefiting the entire population in the coming years by helping to create 'herd immunity'. Meningitis is the swelling of the lining around the brain or spinal cord and can be fatal. It is usually caused by bacteria or viruses, although occasionally by fungal infections or other microbes.

Since 2000, children in the UK have been routinely vaccinated against Meningitis C, however, adults generally have not been vaccinated. It is important to note that while viral meningitis can be very unpleasant, it is almost never life threatening and most people quickly make a full recovery. The new vaccine is the first 'conjugated' Meningitis vaccine. Conjugated vaccines relate to a production technique called conjugation and which can bring about natural, or 'herd' immunity, through cutting circulating levels of the bacteria or virus in the community and therefore helping to protect people who haven't been vaccinated too.

As the new vaccine covers four strains, it will help to protect people, particularly travellers, across broader parts of the world, particularly sub-Saharan Africa (which is sometimes called the "Meningitis Belt" because of the frequency and severity of epidemics). The vaccine "Menveo" is produced by Novartis and licensed for use in those over 11 years old. This link http://www.novartisvaccines.com/newsroom/media-releases/2010/menveo_uk_31032010.pdf has more information.