Meningitis Vaccine 

Toronto Locations I Montreal Locations





The symptoms of Meningitis include a sudden high fever, headache, stiff neck, vomiting, and a rapidly spreading skin rash that produces purple and red spots. Symptoms of the disease will usually happen two to 10 days after exposure.

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord that can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungus, and other pathogens. The disease is spread through close contact with an infected person, including kissing, coughing, sneezing, or shared eating and drinking utensils. Even if you do not get infected by the bacteria, you are at risk of carrying and spreading the disease to others. There are five strains of the disease (A, B, C, Y, and W-135) with the four latter being the most commonly reported types in Canada.

What is Meningococcal disease?


What is my risk?

Meningococcal disease occurs worldwide with seasonal variations.

Speak with one of our Travel Health Specialists to understand the risk of meningococcal disease for your trip.

How is it transmitted?          

Meningococcal disease is spread from close and prolonged contact with an infected person through saliva or secretions (fluids) from the nose and throat. Examples include kissing, sneezing or coughing, living in close quarters with an infected person, sharing eating or drinking utensils.

Most people exposed to the bacteria do not become infected but may become carriers and spread the bacteria to others.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms take an average of four days to appear. In some cases symptoms may appear between two and ten days after infection.

They usually include high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. Other symptoms may include sensitivity to light (photophobia), confusion and a purplish skin rash.

Complications can include deafness, brain damage, seizures and may lead to death.

Can Meningococcal disease be treated?

The infection can be treated with antibiotics.



Speak with one of our Travel Health Specialists preferably six weeks before you travel.

Get vaccinated. Discuss vaccination with one of our Travel Health Specialists. 

Protect yourself and others from the spread of germs.

Wash your hands frequently. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.