Meningococcal Vaccine

What is Meningococcal Vaccine?

This vaccine comes under IAP recommended vaccines for High-risk children (Vaccines under special circumstances).

Meningococcal vaccine is a vaccine used to prevent disease caused by the bacteria named Neisseria meningitidis. Different versions are effective against some or all of the following types of meningococcus: A, C, W135, and Y.

Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis and sepsis. It can also cause focal disease, such as pneumonia and arthritis. Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The most common symptoms are fever, headache and neck stiffness. MPSV and MCV are the types of vaccine.

It can given either by injection into a muscle or just under the skin.

Meningococcal Vaccine Immunization Schedule

The single dose can be given at age of 2 years or more. It can be given up to 18 years of age.

Effectiveness

The vaccines are between 85 and 100% effective for at least two years.

Side Effects

As many as half of the people who get meningococcal vaccine have mild problems following vaccination, such as redness or soreness where the shot was given. If these problems occur, they usually last for 1 or 2 days. A small percentage of people who receive the vaccine develop a mild fever.