Chiswick Meningitis ACWY Vaccination
£60 per dose
Meningitis ACWY vaccination is a mandatory entry requirement for pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah, and is also recommended for travel to the African meningitis belt. Our Chiswick pharmacy issues the official certificate you’ll need.
Based on Acton Lane, Chiswick W4 — GPhC-registered pharmacists.
Prefer to talk first? Call 020 8994 5177.
What Is Meningitis ACWY?
Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. It can cause meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (blood poisoning), both of which are potentially life-threatening and can progress extremely rapidly. The Meningitis ACWY vaccine protects against four of the main disease-causing serogroups: A, C, W, and Y.
Serogroup A is the dominant strain in sub-Saharan Africa’s "meningitis belt" — a region stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia that experiences regular epidemics. Serogroup W has caused outbreaks among Hajj pilgrims in Mecca, leading to mandatory vaccination requirements for all pilgrims.
Do I Need the Meningitis ACWY Vaccine?
Meningitis ACWY vaccination is strongly recommended for:
- All Hajj and Umrah pilgrims — it is a mandatory entry requirement for Saudi Arabia
- Travellers to sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the meningitis belt during the dry season (December–June)
- Students living in university halls of residence or close-contact settings
- Those who have not received the NHS MenACWY vaccination and fall into an at-risk group
- Close contacts of confirmed meningococcal disease cases
When Should I Get Vaccinated?
For Hajj and Umrah: the Saudi government requires vaccination at least 10 days before arrival in Saudi Arabia. We recommend booking your appointment as early as possible, as demand is high in the weeks before the Hajj season. We can also provide the official vaccination certificate required for your visa application.
For other travel: ideally at least 2–4 weeks before departure, though protection develops within a few days of vaccination.
How Many Doses Do I Need?
A single dose of the conjugate Meningitis ACWY vaccine provides protection for at least 5 years. Most adults require only one injection. A booster may be recommended if you were vaccinated more than 5 years ago and remain at ongoing risk.
Side Effects of the Meningitis ACWY Vaccine
The vaccine is well tolerated. Common side effects include mild soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, and occasionally a mild headache or low-grade fever. These resolve within 1–2 days. Serious allergic reactions are extremely rare.
Meningitis ACWY Vaccination for Hammersmith, Ealing, Richmond & Brentford Patients
As well as patients from Chiswick itself, we regularly see travellers from Hammersmith, Ealing, Richmond and Brentford for their pre-travel vaccinations. We're based on Acton Lane, Chiswick W4, just off the A4/Chiswick High Road, making us an easy stop whichever of these areas you're travelling from.
Your vaccinating pharmacist
Rajendra Patel, Superintendent Pharmacist
Your meningitis acwy vaccination will be assessed and administered by Rajendra Patel or another GPhC-registered pharmacist at Alisha Pharmacy. Alisha Pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council under premises number 1041405.
What our patients say
Trusted by the Chiswick community
“I’ve been using Alisha pharmacy for 20 years now. I have other pharmacies nearer to my home, but I always use Alisha because Raj and all the rest of the team there are so friendly, professional, knowledgeable, informative and helpful. They obviously really care about what they do. A local gem.”
— P Hall, Google Review
“Raj the pharmacist runs a service of excellence and care to his local community. He and his team go above and beyond and know their community. The standard has always been exemplary. Would be such a tragedy to lose all of this to something impersonal and generic.”
— Harika Basharan, Google Review
What Happens at Your Appointment?
- A short assessment of your travel plans, health history and any previous vaccinations.
- Your meningitis acwy vaccination administered by a GPhC-registered pharmacist.
- A vaccination record and any relevant advice.
- Aftercare advice and answers to any questions about your travel plans.
How to Prepare
- Bring any previous vaccination records if you have them.
- Let us know about any allergies or ongoing medical conditions.
- Eat something beforehand and stay well hydrated.
- Have your travel itinerary to hand — destinations, dates and activities help us tailor our advice.
Book Your Meningitis ACWY Vaccination in Chiswick
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this vaccine compulsory for Hajj or Umrah?
Yes — Saudi Arabia requires proof of Meningitis ACWY vaccination for entry. We provide the certificate you’ll need to show at the border, and vaccination must be received at least 10 days before arrival in Saudi Arabia.
How long does the Meningitis ACWY vaccine last?
The conjugate Meningitis ACWY vaccine (such as Nimenrix or Menveo) provides protection for at least 5 years. A booster may be needed for those at ongoing risk.
Is the Meningitis ACWY vaccine the same as the one given to teenagers on the NHS?
Yes — the MenACWY vaccine offered to school leavers and university students on the NHS protects against the same 4 serogroups. If you received the NHS vaccine as a teenager, you may still need a booster if several years have passed or if you are travelling to the meningitis belt.
What are the side effects of the Meningitis ACWY vaccine?
Side effects are typically mild: soreness at the injection site, mild headache, or low-grade fever lasting a day or two. Serious reactions are very rare.
How far in advance do I need to book my Meningitis ACWY Vaccination?
Online booking is available from 2 days ahead, giving us time to prepare your vaccine. If you need it sooner than that, please call us and we will do our best to fit you in.
Do you offer meningitis acwy vaccine near Hammersmith, Ealing, Richmond or Brentford?
Yes — we're easy to reach from Hammersmith, Ealing, Richmond and Brentford as well as Chiswick itself. We're based on Acton Lane, Chiswick W4, just off the A4/Chiswick High Road — please book ahead where possible, as some vaccines need to be ordered in.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
We aim to keep the content on this page accurate and up to date, but we cannot accept liability for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies it may contain.