Yes, you can still get meningitis after being vaccinated, but your risk is significantly lower. Vaccines protect against specific bacterial and viral strains, but they don’t cover all possible causes of meningitis.
Can You Get Meningitis If Vaccinated?
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Recommended Reading: What Can Be Mistaken For Meningitis?
Facts About Meningitis Vaccines
✔ Vaccines are highly effective against major bacterial strains (e.g., meningococcal, pneumococcal).
✔ They don’t protect against all types (e.g., some viral or fungal meningitis).
✔ Breakthrough cases are rare but possible if:
- You’re exposed to a non-vaccine strain.
- Your immune system is weakened.
- The vaccine’s protection has waned over time.
Bottom line: Vaccination drastically reduces risk but doesn’t eliminate it entirely.
Why Vaccinated People Can Still Get Meningitis?
1. Vaccines Target Specific Strains
- Meningococcal vaccines (MenACWY, MenB) protect against 4-5 bacterial strains—but there are others.
- Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13/PPSV23) covers 13-23 strains, but 90+ exist.
- No vaccine for most viral causes (except mumps/measles vaccines, which help indirectly).
2. Immune Response Varies
- Some people don’t develop full immunity after vaccination.
- Immunocompromised individuals (e.g., HIV patients) may have weaker protection.
3. Waning Immunity Over Time
- Meningococcal vaccines require boosters (e.g., MenACWY every 5 years for high-risk groups).
- Pneumococcal vaccines may need re-vaccination in older adults.
What Types of Meningitis Can Still Occur After Vaccination?
| Type | Vaccine Available? | Can Vaccinated People Get It? |
|---|---|---|
| Meningococcal (A,C,W,Y) | Yes (MenACWY) | Rare (if exposed to non-vaccine strains like MenB) |
| Meningococcal B | Yes (MenB) | Possible (vaccine is ~80% effective) |
| Pneumococcal | Yes (PCV13/PPSV23) | Yes (if infected by non-covered strains) |
| Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) | Yes | Very rare (vaccine is 95% effective) |
| Viral (Enterovirus, HSV, etc.) | No | Yes (no vaccine for most viruses) |
| Fungal/Parasitic | No | Yes (not preventable by vaccines) |
What to Do If You’re Vaccinated But Exposed to Meningitis?
- Watch for symptoms (fever, headache, stiff neck, rash).
- Seek immediate medical care if symptoms appear.
- Ask about antibiotic prophylaxis (for bacterial meningitis exposures).
- Check vaccine records—you might need a booster.
FAQs
1. How effective are meningitis vaccines?
- MenACWY: ~85-90% effective.
- MenB: ~80% effective.
- Hib: ~95% effective.
2. Do I need a booster shot?
- MenACWY: Recommended at age 16 and every 5 years for high-risk groups.
- MenB: May require multiple doses.
3. Can you get viral meningitis if vaccinated?
- Yes, since most viral meningitis has no specific vaccine.
4. Should I still get vaccinated if it’s not 100% effective?
- Absolutely! It dramatically lowers risk of severe illness/death.
5. How long does meningitis vaccine protection last?
- MenACWY: ~5 years.
- MenB: Still being studied (likely several years).
Final Advice
While no vaccine is 100% foolproof, meningitis vaccines save lives.
✅ Get vaccinated (especially kids, college students, travelers).
✅ Know the symptoms—early treatment is critical.
✅ Consider boosters if you’re at high risk.
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