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what is the meningitis vaccine called

The meningitis vaccine doesn’t have just one single name – there are several different vaccines that protect against different types of meningitis-causing bacteria.

Quick Scoop: Main Vaccine Names

When people say “the meningitis vaccine,” they usually mean one of these:

  • MenACWY vaccines – protect against meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y.
* Brand names: Menveo and MenQuadfi.
  • MenB vaccines – protect against meningococcal group B.
* Brand names: Bexsero and Trumenba.
  • MenABCWY (pentavalent) vaccines – newer “5‑in‑1” vaccines that cover A, B, C, W and Y in one shot.
* Brand names: Penbraya and Penmenvy.

There are also other vaccines that protect against causes of meningitis (not usually called “the meningitis jab” in everyday speech), such as:

  • Pneumococcal vaccines.
  • Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccine.
  • Some routine childhood vaccines (like MMR) which reduce meningitis risk from those infections.

Mini “Story” To Remember It

Imagine a school sending a letter home that says:

“Your child is due for their meningitis vaccines: one MenACWY shot at around 11–12 and a booster in the teen years, and they may also get a MenB series as a teen depending on risk and local guidance.”

That’s why online and in forums, you’ll see people say things like “I got my MenACWY” or “I just had my Bexsero (MenB) shot” rather than a single universal “meningitis vaccine.”

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.