If you are checking vaccinations for your child or preparing to study abroad, you may come across both MenACWY and MenB. They are meningococcal vaccines, but the letters refer to different groups of the bacteria. [1]
What do the letters in MenACWY and MenB mean?
Meningococcal bacteria are divided into groups called serogroups. The vaccine names tell you which groups they target, as the table below shows. [1]
Scroll sideways to compare all details.
MenACWY targets four groups, but that does not automatically make it the right choice for you. Your doctor needs to consider which groups you may be exposed to, along with your health and travel plans. [1][2]
If you’ve had one, do you need the other?
Not necessarily. Check your vaccination record for the vaccine name and date, and bring it to the appointment. Saying you have had a “meningitis jab” leaves the doctor without the details needed to tell which type you received. [1]
Meningococcal vaccination is not part of the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme. In July 2025, the scientific committee cited the very low local incidence when advising against including it in the routine programme. You or your child may still need it because of particular health or travel circumstances. [3]
What should you check before travel or overseas study?
- Tell your doctor your destination, how long you will stay and what activities you have planned. These details help them assess your risk of exposure. [2]
- If you are studying abroad or staying for a longer period, check the destination health authority’s vaccination recommendations too. Bring your existing record so the doctor can check what you have already received. [3]
- Health and work can also affect the advice. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) gives recommendations for people with specific immune conditions and laboratory staff who regularly handle meningococcal bacteria. [2]
Which immune conditions are named in the CHP advice?
The CHP names advanced HIV infection, terminal complement component deficiencies and asplenia. Ask your doctor whether your medical condition falls within this advice. It should not be read as a recommendation for everyone described as having “low immunity”. [2]
What should you bring and ask at the appointment?
Bring the details your doctor needs to discuss the choice with you:
- Your vaccination record, including vaccine names and dates.
- Your health conditions and any treatment you are receiving.
- Your destination, travel dates and length of stay, if you are going abroad.
You can ask: “Given my health and travel plans, do I need MenACWY, MenB, both or neither?” The doctor can explain the suitable product and vaccination schedule. The travel guides below cover the other preparations for your trip. [2]
Related reading
Travel vaccination preparation in Hong Kong
What vaccines should I get before travelling from Hong Kong?