Vaccination

Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing meningitis.  However, there is no single vaccine that protects against all forms of the disease.  Effective vaccines are available against Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y, and against geographic-specific strains of serogroup B.  Vaccines are also available against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Streptococcus pneumoniae and the mumps virus.  It is important to note that vaccination will only protect against disease caused by these specific organisms.