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    Meningitis vaccines compared: MenACWY, MenB, MenABCWY, PCV and Hib

    No single vaccine prevents all meningitis. Separate vaccines cover meningococcal serogroups A, C, W and Y (MenACWY), serogroup B (MenB), both at once (MenABCWY), pneumococcus and Hib.[1][2] This guide compares them using regulators' and public health agencies' published data. We did no testing, and it is not a product recommendation.

    Editor reviewedStrict sourcingUpdated ExplainerHealth and medicine, Life sciences

    Meningitis has many causes, and no universal vaccine exists. Each vaccine protects against particular bacteria or strains.[1] This guide sets out what each type covers, who US and UK public health agencies recommend it for, and what the published trial and surveillance data show. How this guide was made: we did no testing of our own. Everything below comes from regulators, public health agencies and peer-reviewed reports, and nothing here endorses a product. It is not medical advice: which vaccines suit you or your child is a decision to make with a clinician. We do not list prices, because cost depends on insurance and national programmes.

    The vaccines at a glance

    Vaccine typeCoversUS productsMain US recommendation
    MenACWY (conjugate)Meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, YMenveo (GSK), MenQuadfi (Sanofi)[3]All 11-12-year-olds, booster at 16[4]
    MenB (protein)Meningococcal serogroup BBexsero (GSK), Trumenba (Pfizer)[3]Shared decision for ages 16-23, preferably 16-18; 2 doses 6 months apart[5][6]
    MenABCWY (pentavalent)A, B, C, W, YPenbraya (Pfizer), Penmenvy (GSK)[7][8]When MenACWY and MenB are both due at the same visit[8]
    Pneumococcal (PCV15, PCV20, PCV21; PPSV23)Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypesSeveralAll children under 5 and adults 50+[9]
    HibHaemophilus influenzae type bSeveralAll children under 5[10]

    Meningococcal vaccines: MenACWY, MenB and MenABCWY

    There are three kinds of meningococcal vaccine in the US. MenACWY protects against four strain groups. MenB protects against group B, the main cause of the 2026 outbreaks in England. MenABCWY combines both in one shot.[2][11] MenACWY does not protect against MenB.[12] If you start a MenB series with one brand, finish it with the same brand.[13]

    MenACWY conjugate vaccines are interchangeable, though the same product is preferred for all doses. MenB products contain different antigens and are not interchangeable.[13] The FDA approved Penbraya on 20 October 2023 and Penmenvy on 14 February 2025, both for ages 10-25.[7][8] Penmenvy has the same components as Menveo and Bexsero. Penbraya pairs a MenACWY-TT component with Trumenba’s MenB proteins, so the follow-on MenB doses must match the manufacturer.[14][13] ACIP recommends MenB by shared clinical decision-making rather than routinely, citing an estimated 1-2 year duration of protection and a high cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY).[6]

    What the evidence shows

    The published evidence comes in different strengths, from trials that measure immune responses to studies of disease in whole populations:

    • Randomised trials of immune response (Penmenvy). ACIP’s review rested on seven randomised controlled trials in healthy 10- to 25-year-olds. They measured antibody responses and safety. Evidence on prevention of disease itself was lacking.[15] One month after one dose, Penmenvy and Menveo recipients were similarly likely to have protective antibody levels against A, C, W and Y.[16] Across the trials, 3 of 3,925 pentavalent recipients and 3 of 3,922 controls had serious adverse events judged possibly related to vaccination.[17]
    • Real-world effectiveness (MenB in infants). UKHSA cites a study of the UK infant programme, which began in 2015, showing a 75% reduction in MenB disease in vaccinated groups. The vaccine covers most but not all UK MenB strains.[18]
    • Population impact (MenA in Africa). Mass campaigns with a serogroup A conjugate vaccine cut confirmed serogroup A disease by 99% in vaccinated populations in the African meningitis belt.[19]
    • Cost modelling. A CDC model found a pentavalent vaccine cost-saving when it replaces separate MenACWY and MenB doses. Used in place of MenACWY alone, it would cost $11.3 million per QALY.[20]

    Side effects

    The CDC says side effects after MenACWY usually last 1 or 2 days, and after MenB or MenABCWY usually 3 to 5 days.[21] UKHSA lists mild fever, injection-site soreness, headache and muscle aches as common MenB side effects that usually pass within a day or two.[22]

    Pneumococcal and Hib vaccines

    Pneumococcus and Hib are the other vaccine-preventable bacterial causes of meningitis.[23] The US uses conjugate vaccines (PCV15, PCV20 and PCV21) and the polysaccharide PPSV23. The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all children under 5 and all adults 50 and older.[9] It recommends Hib vaccine for all children under 5, and older people usually need it only with certain medical conditions.[10] WHO recommends universal use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, and Hib is in most national programmes.[24]

    UK schedule, travel and policy changes

    The NHS offers MenB, MenACWY, pneumococcal, 6-in-1 and MMRV vaccines to children and teenagers.[25] In 2026 it added a one-off MenB catch-up for school leavers and new students, with first doses until 31 December 2026 and second doses until 31 March 2027.[26][27] Travel risk differs sharply by region. In the African meningitis belt, dry-season epidemics can reach 1,000 cases per 100,000 people, compared with 0.1-2.4 per 100,000 a year in Australia, Europe, South America and the US.[28] For travel, the CDC says meningococcal vaccine is not recommended outside the African meningitis belt unless there is an ongoing outbreak. It notes outbreaks linked to Hajj and Umrah. It advises vaccinating 7 to 10 days before travel.[29][30] US recommendations changed in January 2026, and a court stay in March 2026 restored the earlier schedule. The policy debate page explains this.[31][32] For a different vaccine technology, see the mRNA vaccines crash course.

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    Questions readers ask

    Does the MenACWY vaccine protect against MenB?

    No. MenACWY covers serogroups A, C, W and Y only. Protection against serogroup B needs a MenB vaccine or a pentavalent MenABCWY vaccine.[12][2]

    Can I mix Bexsero and Trumenba?

    No. MenB vaccines from different manufacturers contain different antigens and are not interchangeable, so all B-component doses should come from the same manufacturer.[13]

    What is the difference between Penbraya and Penmenvy?

    Both are pentavalent vaccines licensed in the US for people aged 10-25. Penbraya (Pfizer) pairs a MenACWY-TT component with Trumenba's MenB proteins. Penmenvy (GSK) has the same components as Menveo and Bexsero.[7][8][14]

    How well does the MenB vaccine work?

    UKHSA cites a study of babies in the UK infant programme that showed a 75% reduction in MenB disease in vaccinated groups. It notes the vaccine covers most, but not all, MenB strains common in the UK.[18]

    How long do side effects last?

    The CDC says side effects after MenACWY usually last 1 or 2 days, and after MenB or MenABCWY usually 3 to 5 days.[21]

    Do travellers need a meningococcal vaccine?

    The CDC Yellow Book says it is not recommended outside the African meningitis belt unless there is an outbreak. It advises vaccinating 7 to 10 days before travel and notes that Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages have been linked to outbreaks.[29][30]

    Sources

    · 32 claims from 7 publishers

    Each numbered claim is a statement we checked against the sources listed with it. Tap a number in the text to see its sources in place.

    1. [1]

      Licensed vaccines against meningococcal, pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae disease target the most harmful strains, and no universal meningitis vaccine exists. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    2. [2]

      The US uses three types of meningococcal vaccine, MenACWY, MenB and pentavalent MenABCWY, each protecting against different serogroups. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    3. [3]

      The US-licensed MenACWY vaccines are Menveo (GSK) and MenQuadfi (Sanofi), and the MenB vaccines are Bexsero (GSK) and Trumenba (Pfizer). confirmedas of 2026-01-08

    4. [4]

      CDC guidance (reviewed March 2026) recommends a MenACWY vaccine for all 11- to 12-year-olds and a booster at 16 because protection wanes. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    5. [5]

      For healthy adolescents and young adults, CDC recommends deciding on MenB vaccination through shared clinical decision-making, with 2 doses 6 months apart and a preferred age of 16 through 18. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    6. [6]

      ACIP recommends a 2-dose MenB series for healthy people aged 16-23 based on shared clinical decision-making, citing the estimated short (1-2 year) duration of MenB protection and the high cost per quality-adjusted life year gained. confirmedas of 2026-01-08

    7. [7]

      The FDA approved Pfizer's pentavalent Penbraya (MenACWY-TT/MenB-FHbp) on 20 October 2023 for people aged 10-25, and ACIP recommended it on 25 October 2023 for use when both MenACWY and MenB are indicated at the same visit. confirmedas of 2024-04-18

    8. [8]

      The FDA licensed GSK's pentavalent Penmenvy (MenACWY-CRM/MenB-4C) on 14 February 2025 for people aged 10-25, and ACIP recommended it on 16 April 2025 for use when both MenACWY and MenB are indicated at the same visit. confirmedas of 2026-01-08

    9. [9]

      The US uses two types of pneumococcal vaccine, conjugate vaccines (PCV15, PCV20 and PCV21) and the polysaccharide PPSV23, and the CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all children under 5 and all adults 50 or older, plus younger people with certain risk conditions. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    10. [10]

      The CDC recommends Hib vaccination for all children younger than 5, given as multiple shots; older children and adults usually do not need it unless they have certain medical conditions. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

      • Hib Vaccination · US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    11. [11]

      A meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent, England, in March 2026 was linked to a MenB strain, and two people died. confirmedas of 2026-03-18

    12. [12]

      MenACWY vaccine, given in UK schools in year 9 or 10, does not protect against MenB disease. confirmedas of 2026-06-12

    13. [13]

      MenB vaccines from different manufacturers contain different antigens and are not interchangeable, so all B-component doses should come from the same manufacturer; MenACWY products are interchangeable. confirmedas of 2026-01-08

    14. [14]

      Penmenvy contains the same components as Menveo and Bexsero, while Penbraya combines a MenACWY-TT component with Trumenba's MenB proteins. confirmedas of 2026-01-08

    15. [15]

      ACIP's review of Penmenvy rested on seven randomised controlled trials of immunogenicity and safety in healthy 10- to 25-year-olds; direct evidence on prevention of disease was lacking. confirmedas of 2026-01-08

    16. [16]

      In the trials reviewed by ACIP, people given one dose of Penmenvy and people given Menveo were similarly likely to have seroprotective antibody levels against serogroups A, C, W and Y one month later. confirmedas of 2026-01-08

    17. [17]

      Across the seven trials, six serious adverse events possibly related to vaccination occurred among 7,847 participants, three of 3,925 in the pentavalent group and three of 3,922 in control groups. confirmedas of 2026-01-08

    18. [18]

      The UK has used MenB vaccine in its infant programme since 2015, and UKHSA cites a study of babies showing a 75% reduction in MenB disease in vaccinated groups; the vaccine covers most but not all MenB strains common in the UK. confirmedas of 2026-06-12

    19. [19]

      Before a meningococcal A conjugate vaccine was deployed from 2010, serogroup A caused 80-85% of epidemics in the meningitis belt; mass campaigns cut confirmed serogroup A disease by 99% in vaccinated populations. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    20. [20]

      A CDC model estimated that using a pentavalent vaccine in place of separate MenACWY and MenB doses when both are indicated would be cost-saving, but replacing MenACWY alone would cost $11.3 million per QALY gained. confirmedas of 2026-01-08

    21. [21]

      The CDC says side effects after MenACWY vaccination usually last 1 or 2 days, and after MenB or MenABCWY vaccination usually 3 to 5 days. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    22. [22]

      UKHSA says common MenB vaccine side effects are usually mild, such as fever, injection-site swelling or tenderness, headache or muscle aches, and usually pass within a day or two. confirmedas of 2026-06-12

    23. [23]

      Newborns are most at risk from group B streptococcus, children and adolescents from meningococcus, pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae, and most adult bacterial meningitis is caused by pneumococcus and meningococcus. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    24. [24]

      Hib vaccine is used in most national childhood immunisation programmes, and WHO recommends universal use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    25. [25]

      The NHS schedule offers children and teenagers vaccines against the main causes of meningitis, including MenB, MenACWY, pneumococcal, 6-in-1 and MMRV vaccines. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    26. [26]

      The UK introduced a one-off, time-limited MenB vaccine programme in response to the 2026 outbreaks while JCVI reviews the evidence, offering two doses to 17- and 18-year-olds born 1 September 2007-31 August 2008 and to under-25s starting university or residential further education for the first time in autumn 2026. confirmedas of 2026-06-12

    27. [27]

      Under the UK one-off programme, first MenB doses are available until 31 December 2026 and second doses until 31 March 2027. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    28. [28]

      Meningococcal disease is hyperendemic in the African meningitis belt, where dry-season epidemics can reach 1,000 cases per 100,000 people, compared with 0.1-2.4 per 100,000 a year in Australia, Europe, South America and the US. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    29. [29]

      The CDC Yellow Book says meningococcal vaccination is not recommended for travel outside the African meningitis belt unless there is an ongoing outbreak, and that the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages have been linked to outbreaks, including 6 cases among Umrah participants and contacts in the US in 2024. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    30. [30]

      The CDC Yellow Book advises travellers to receive meningococcal vaccines 7 to 10 days before travel so protective antibodies can develop. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    31. [31]

      On 5 January 2026 HHS cut the number of diseases covered by universally recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11, moving MenACWY and MenB to high-risk groups and placing meningococcal vaccination under shared clinical decision-making for others. confirmedas of 2026-01-09

    32. [32]

      The 16 March 2026 court stay blocked the January 2026 schedule memo and returned the childhood schedule to its earlier form; CDC's meningococcal guidance, reviewed on 30 March 2026, again lists routine MenACWY at ages 11-12. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    Revision history (1)
    1. Page created.

    Created Oct 11, 2026. Last reviewed by an editor on Oct 11, 2026. Next scheduled review: Jan 11, 2027.

    Cite this page

    "Meningitis vaccines compared: MenACWY, MenB, MenABCWY, PCV and Hib." ContentLora, updated Oct 11, 2026. https://contentlora.com/explain/meningitis-vaccines-guide

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