All Infants Children And Adults
Any person from 6 weeks of age who wants to protect themselves against meningococcal disease is recommended to receive MenACWY vaccine and MenB vaccine
Any person who wants to protect themselves against invasive meningococcal disease can receive MenACWY and MenB vaccines from as early as 6 weeks of age.
A summary of the recommendations for use of meningococcal vaccines is shown in Table. Recommendations for meningococcal vaccines by age group. The table shows the type of vaccines that are strongly recommended for specific age groups and special risk groups. See below for brand and dosing recommendations.
Preferred vaccines
Infants aged < 9 months can receive 2 of the 3 MenACWY brands . Infants and children aged 9 months to 2 years can receive any of the 3 MenACWY vaccine brands, following the age-appropriate dosing schedule.
For all people aged 2 years, it is preferable to receive either Menveo or Nimenrix, rather than Menactra.
There is no preference for either Bexsero or Trumenba for people aged 10 years who wish to receive a MenB vaccine. For people aged < 10 years, Bexsero is the only registered MenB vaccine available in Australia.
Recommended dose schedules
For recommended dose schedules for healthy people aged 2 years who wish to receive meningococcal vaccine, see Table. Recommendations for meningococcal vaccines for healthy people aged 2 years, by age and vaccine brand.
For the recommended dose schedules for healthy infants and children aged < 2 years, see:
How Can I Be Protected
Vaccination protects against the disease and helps stop it spreading in our communities. There are vaccines available in New Zealand that protect against strains A, C, W and Y, and strain B of meningococcal disease.
One dose of vaccine protects against A, C, W and Y strains. Its FREE if youre aged between 13 and 25 years and:
- entering or in your first year of living in a boarding school hostel, tertiary education hall of residence, military barracks or prison
- already living in a boarding school hostel, tertiary education hall of residence, military barracks or prison .
There is also a vaccine available that protects against meningococcal B. Its not free, but highly recommended if you live in a place outlined above.
Meningococcal vaccines help protect you for up to five years. Get immunised if your last one was more than five years ago.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of The Meningococcal Vaccines
In some cases, your child may have some symptoms which are usually mild and don’t last long. Your child’s arm may be a bit red, sore or swollen where the injection was given. Some people may have a mild fever, headache, fatigue, or feel moody.
Talk to your health care provider about how to help relieve any symptoms after vaccination.
You May Like: Can We Drink Alcohol After Vaccination
Is The Meningitis B Vaccine Safe
In the same 2021 study mentioned above, researchers found the vaccine demonstrated an acceptable level of safety. No safety concerns have been raised based on current data, which includes more than 3 million doses administered in the United Kingdom.
Data from Quebec revealed four cases of a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome in children age 2 to 5 within 13 months of receiving their vaccine. Researchers are still trying to understand if theres a link, but a lack of similar findings from other countries suggests these cases may have occurred by chance.
Side effects of meningitis B are usually mild and last for
Is Meningococcal Disease Serious
Meningococcal meningitis and bloodstream infections can be very serious, even deadly. The infections progress quickly. Someone can go from being healthy to very ill in 48 hours or less. Even if they get treatment, about 10 to 15 out of 100 people with meningococcal disease will die from it. Long-term disabilities from having meningococcal disease include loss of limbs, deafness, nervous system problems, and brain damage.
Recommended Reading: How Much Is Pneumonia Vaccine
How Is Meningococcal Disease Spread And Who Is Most At Risk
Meningococcal disease is not as contagious as other illnesses, such as a cold or the flu. But it is spread by contact with infected respiratory and throat secretions. That can happen with coughing, kissing, or sneezing.
Because the risk increases with close or prolonged contact with an infected person, family members in the same household and caregivers are at an increased risk. For the same reason, so are college students who live in dormitories.
Meningitis B Is A Killer
Meningococcal group B bacteria are a serious cause of life-threatening infections worldwide, including meningitis and .
They’re also the leading infectious killer of babies and young children in the UK.
There are 12 known groups of meningococcal bacteria, and group B is responsible for about 9 in every 10 meningococcal infections in the UK.
Meningitis and sepsis caused by meningococcal group B bacteria can affect people of any age but are most common in babies and young children.
While most young children recover from MenB, around 1 in 20 die from the infection.
Many of those who survive have a permanent disability, such as brain damage, epilepsy, hearing loss, or the loss of limbs .
Recommended Reading: How Much Is Parvo Vaccine
Why Are Meningococcal Vaccines Important
-
Meningococcal disease is rare, but people do get it and teens, young adults, and people with certain health conditions are at increased risk. Meningococcal disease can cause serious infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord or the blood.
Protection from these infections is especially important because they can quickly become very dangerous in fact, they can be deadly in just a few hours.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent meningococcal disease.
Getting Your Meningococcal Acwy Vaccination At School What To Expect
Vaccination is a simple and clever way to protect you from serious diseases now and later in your life.
- Listen
Hi! My name is Caroline. Im a registered nurse just like the one youre about to see for your vaccination. Im going to tell you how vaccination protects you and why its important, what vaccines you will receive and what to expect on vaccination day.
Vaccination is a simple and clever way to protect you from serious diseases now and later in your life. It not only helps protect you, but it also protects the community around you by helping to stop the spread of diseases.
All vaccines work in the same way. A vaccine is a dead or weakened version of a bacteria or a virus that tricks our bodies into building immunity against that bacteria or virus. Our immune system remembers this and is able to quickly fight the real disease if we come into contact with it in the future.
Vaccination is the best way to protect you from many serious diseases. Some vaccines offer lifelong protection. In other cases booster or extra doses are needed to continue to provide you with protection. You may not have heard of some of the diseases before, because they are no longer very common. And this is because we keep vaccinating against them.
Today you’ll be receiving a meningococcal ACWY vaccine.
Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious disease that can quickly become life-threatening, but you can be protected through vaccination.
Eating breakfast in the morning.
Recommended Reading: Is Hpv Vaccine For Males
Where And When Can I Get The Vaccine
Talk to your doctor or local public health clinic to find out where and when your child should get vaccinated.
- The cost of Men-C-C is covered everywhere in Canada.
- Many provinces currently cover the cost of MCV-4 vaccine.
- Currently, no provinces or territories cover the cost of Men-B vaccine for all children. Some provide it for children at high risk of getting meningococcal disease.
Persons With Inadequate Immunization Records
Children and adults lacking adequate documentation of immunization should be considered unimmunized and started on an immunization schedule appropriate for their age and risk factors. Conjugate meningococcal vaccine, as appropriate for age, may be given regardless of possible previous receipt of the vaccine, as adverse events associated with repeated immunization have not been demonstrated. Refer to Immunization of persons with inadequate immunization records in Part 3 for additional general information.
You May Like: What Age To Vaccinate Puppies
What To Think About
The menigococcal vaccine can be given at the same time as other routine childhood vaccinations.
The conjugate meningococcal vaccines may be used during pregnancy when the benefits of getting the vaccine outweighs the risk.
The conjugate and multi-component vaccines may be given to women who are breastfeeding.
No evidence has shown that Canadian university students who live in dormitories or residence halls are at higher risk of getting meningococcal disease.footnote 2
Risk By Age Group And By Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Status
Children aged < 2 years
Children aged < 2 years have the highest incidence of meningococcal cases. The disease occurs most often in infants aged 35 months.
Adolescents aged 1519 years
A high number of meningococcal disease cases occurs among adolescents and young adults aged 1524 years, with peak rates of disease occurring in 1820-year-olds. Adolescents and young adults have the highest rate of meningococcal carriage and are thought to play an important role in transmitting the bacteria in a community.4
Adolescents and young adults in this age bracket who have a higher risk of acquiring the meningococcal bacteria are:
- people who live in close quarters, such as new military recruits and students living in residential accommodation
- people who have prolonged contact with a person who is carrying meningococcal bacteria5-7
- people who are smokers8-10
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have much higher incidence rates of meningococcal disease than non-Indigenous Australians.96 This is particularly among children aged < 15 years for the 2 most common meningococcal serogroups: B and W.
Read Also: When To Get Yellow Fever Vaccine
What Are The Meningococcal Vaccines
There are different kinds of meningococcal vaccines available for use in Canada. These vaccines help protect against certain strains of bacteria that cause the disease. Some protect against more strains than others. The most common ones offered in Canada are Men-C-C and Men-C-ACYW-135. The Men-C-C vaccine protects against one strain of the bacteria. The Men-C-ACYW-135 protects against four strains. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn what options are available for you.
Who Should Not Get The Vaccine
Speak with your health care provider if you or your child have had a life-threatening reaction to a previous dose of any meningococcal vaccine, or any component of the vaccine.
There is no need to delay getting immunized because of a cold or other mild illness.
However, if you have concerns speak with your health care provider.
Also Check: When Do You Get Mmr Vaccine
Persons With Chronic Diseases
Asplenia
Two doses of Men-C-ACYW vaccine are recommended for persons with anatomic or functional asplenia, including sickle cell disease. When elective splenectomy is planned, all recommended vaccines should ideally be completed at least 2 weeks before surgery if only one dose can be given before surgery, the second dose should be given 8 weeks after the first dose, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks. In the case of an emergency splenectomy, two doses of vaccine should ideally be given beginning 2 weeks after surgery but can be given earlier, before discharge, if the person might not return for vaccination after discharge. Persons one year of age and older with asplenia who have not received Men-C-ACYW vaccine should receive two doses administered 8 weeks apart, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks. In addition, 4CMenB or MenB-fHBP vaccine should be offered. Periodic booster doses with Men-C-ACYW vaccine are also recommended.
Refer to Table 1 for vaccination recommendations of high risk individuals due to underlying conditions. Refer to Booster doses and re-immunization for additional information and Immunization of Persons with Chronic Diseases in Part 3 for additional general information.
How Can I Protect My Child
There are three kinds of meningococcal vaccine available in Canada. Each vaccine provides different protection:
- Meningococcal C vaccine is usually given to babies and young children. It protects against type C of the meningococcus germ, which used to be very common before this vaccine was available.
- MCV-4 protects against 4 types of the meningococcal germ . This vaccine is usually only given to people at higher risk of getting meningococcal disease . In some provinces it is given to all teenagers.
- Meningococcal B vaccine protects children against type B. This vaccine is not given routinely but is usually given to children at higher risk of getting meningococcal disease.
Your doctor will know which vaccine is best for your child, and at what age.
Recommended Reading: Where To Get The Shingrix Vaccine
Which Meningococcal Vaccines Are Available
In the U.S., three meningococcal vaccines are available:
- Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine , sold as Menomune
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine , sold as Menactra, MenHibrix, and Menveo.
- Serogroup B meningococcal vaccine, sold as Trumenba and Bexsero.
MPSV4 and MCV4 can prevent four types of meningococcal disease, which make up about 70% of the cases in the U.S.
The MenB vaccines prevent the Meningococcal B strain.
MCV4 is preferred for people age 55 and younger. The recommendation for teens is one dose at age 11 and one dose at age 16. The doctor or nurse injects one dose into the muscle. If MCV4 is not available, you can use MPSV4. The doctor or nurse injects one dose beneath the skin.
MPSV4 is the only meningococcal vaccine approved for use in people over 55.
The MenB vaccines are recommended for ages 10-24, by the CDC for high risk patients, but can also be used in older adults. Trumenba is administered in three doses while Bexsero requires two doses.
British Columbia Specific Information
Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective lining around the brain and spinal cord. It is a type of meningococcal infection that is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. In British Columbia, there are 2 vaccines that can help protect against meningitis: the Meningococcal C Conjugate vaccine and the Meningococcal Quadrivalent vaccine.
The Meningococcal C Conjugate vaccine is provided free. It is recommended for children at 2 and 12 months of age. For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #23a Meningococcal C Conjugate Vaccine and the B.C. Immunization Schedules.
As of September 2016, the Meningococcal Quadrivalent Vaccine will be offered to all students in grade 9 as part of the routine immunization program in B.C. This will replace the current booster dose provided in grade 6. For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #23b Meningococcal Quadrivalent Vaccines. To learn more about both vaccines, visit ImmunizeBC.
Bexsero
Read Also: When Are Teachers Getting The Vaccine
Is Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine Mandatory
Fourteen of the 15 states with the highest rates of meningococcal ACWY vaccination have a mandate in place. As of July 2019, 31 states and Washington, D.C. mandate the first dose of the MenACWY vaccine at age 11-12, while just 17 states mandate the second dose of MenACWY at age 16-17, aligning with CDC recommendations.
Book A Pharmacy Appointment Today
Need a meningitis vaccination? Book a consultation today.
There are three types of vaccine against meningococcal infection:
- One type of vaccine protects against group C only – the MenC vaccine.
- One type of vaccine called the MenACWY vaccine protects against groups A, C, W and Y.
- One type of vaccine protects against group B only – the MenB vaccine .
The vaccine stimulates your immune system to protect you against meningococcal infection should you become infected with the germs .
Recommended Reading: Does Cvs Have The Shingles Vaccine
How Do You Prevent Invasive Meningococcal Disease
Immunization is the best way to protect yourself, your children and your community.
Avoid sharing personal items that touch your mouth such as water bottles, food, lipstick, toothbrushes and eating utensils. Wash your hands well and often. Avoid being close to people who have symptoms of the disease.
Is The Vaccine Safe
The meningococcal ACWY vaccine is a safe and effective way to help protect young people from meningococcal disease. Meningococcal ACWY vaccination programs have been in place for adolescents in the UK since 2015 and in the US since 2005.
A single dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine is very effective in providing protection against four types of meningococcal disease, A, C, W & Y.
Also Check: Do Vaccines Compromise Your Immune System
Older Children And The Menacwy Vaccine
From September 2015 MenACWY began being routinely offered to schoolchildren aged 14-15. . It is also offered to those aged 17-18 and young adults under the age of 25. This is because of a rise in infection with group W meningococcus in this age group.
If you are under the age of 25 and have not been immunised, see your doctor or practice nurse to get immunised. This is particularly important if you are about to start university for the first time, as the risk of infection with group W meningococcus is highest in first-year university students. Just one injection of vaccine is needed if you are over the age of 1 year.
People Without A Spleen Or Whose Spleen Does Not Work Properly
If you do not have a spleen, or your spleen does not work properly, or you have a weakened immune system then it is likely to be recommended to you that you receive the MenB and the MenACWY vaccines. The timing of your vaccines will depend on your age. Your doctor will be able to advise you in more detail regarding this.
Also Check: Is Johnson And Johnson A Live Vaccine
Potential Serious Side Effect
Very rarely, serious side effects can occur with any vaccine. Speak with your healthcare provider immediately if you or your child experience:
- Dizziness, ringing in the ears, or vision changes after the vaccine is administered. This could indicate that you are going to faint.
- Severe pain in your shoulder or trouble moving your arm where the shot was administered.
- Symptoms of an allergic reaction, including changes to breathing. This can happen even hours after a shot is given.