Invasive meningococcal disease: Prevention and risks

On this page

• How invasive meningococcal disease spreads
• Who is most at risk
• Preventing invasive meningococcal disease with vaccination
• Prevention during an outbreak or after an exposure

How invasive meningococcal disease spreads

A bacteria called meningococcus causes meningococcal disease. It can spread from person to person through small droplets of saliva or mucus that are found in the nose or throat. These are called respiratory droplets. The disease is commonly spread from:

• coughing or sneezing
• living in close quarters
• kissing or sharing drinks, utensils and food

About 10% of people carry meningococcus in the back of their throat or nose without getting sick. 

Invasive meningococcus disease is rare in Canada, with around 100 cases a year. However, it’s a serious disease that can lead to long-term disabilities or death. 

Who is at most risk

Some people are at higher risk of meningococcal disease.

You’re at higher risk if you don’t have a spleen, or if you have a medical condition that affects your spleen, such as:

• sickle cell disease
• other immune disorders

You’re also at higher risk of exposure if you:

• work in a lab where you may be exposed to the meningococcus bacteria
• travel to areas where spread of the bacteria or the disease is more common, such as:
• sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia (also called the ’African Meningitis Belt’)
• Saudi Arabia for the purposes of Hajj or Umrah
• areas where outbreaks are happening

Some age groups are more at risk than others. Between 2012 and 2022, most new cases in Canada were found in:

• infants under 1 year old
• children between 1 and 4 years old
• youth between 15 and 19 years old
• young adults between 20 and 24 years old

Studies have shown that cases of invasive meningococcal disease cases can be higher if you:

• live in an overcrowded household
• smoke or are exposed to cigarette smoke
• have a current or recent respiratory tract infection

Talk to your health care provider or local public health unit if you have questions or think you may be at higher risk.

Learn more about:

• Travel advice and advisories

Preventing invasive meningococcal disease with vaccination

There are 3 kinds of meningococcal vaccine available in Canada:

1. Men-C-C
2. Men-C-ACYW
3. 4CmenB and MenB-fHBP

Each protects against different strains of meningococcus.

Meningococcal vaccines are part of the routine vaccination schedule for children and youth in Canada. Which vaccine you get and the age that you get it depend on which province or territory you live in.

Health care providers may also recommend vaccination if you’re at high risk for meningococcal disease because of:

• underlying medical conditions
• risk of exposure if you travel to areas:
  • that require vaccination
  • where invasive meningococcal disease is more common
• risk of exposure due to a high-risk occupation, such as:
  • research
  • clinical work
  • industrial work
  • laboratory work
• close contact with someone who has invasive meningococcal disease

Vaccine effectiveness depends on the strain being vaccinated against and how long it’s been since you were vaccinated. These vaccines become less effective over time. 

Talk to a health care provider or visit your province or territory's website to learn more about routine vaccination schedules.

Learn more about:

• Travel vaccinations
• Invasive meningococcal disease: Who is at most risk 
• Vaccines for children: Childhood vaccination schedule

Booster doses and re-vaccination

Your health care provider may recommend additional vaccine doses to offer you the best protection. You may need them if you:

• are at high risk due to underlying medical conditions
• plan to travel to areas:
• that require vaccination
• where invasive meningococcal disease is more common
• are at ongoing risk of exposure

Talk to a health care provider or your local public health unit if you have questions.

Safety of invasive meningococcal vaccines

After vaccination, it’s common to have mild side effects. Possible side effects at the site of vaccination may include:

• swelling
• soreness
• redness

These reactions are normal and usually go away within a few days. Talk to a health care provider about how to help manage common side effects. 

Very rarely, someone may have a serious reaction to a vaccine, including an allergic reaction. Symptoms of anaphylaxis (a serious allergic reaction) typically happen soon after vaccination and can include:

• breathing problems (wheezing)
• swelling of the face, tongue or throat
• red rash on the skin (hives)

If you suspect you might be having a serious reaction after a vaccination, seek medical care right away.

Learn more about:

• Vaccine safety and possible side effects
• Vaccines for children: What to expect at the vaccination appointment

Prevention during an outbreak or after an exposure

If you have a meningococcal infection, the people close to you have an increased risk of developing invasive meningococcal disease. Your local public health unit will be in touch in these situations for contact tracing. This helps to slow down or stop the spread of the bacteria.

Your local public health unit may recommend prevention measures such as:

• antibiotics
• a meningococcal vaccine