Neisseria meningitis is the cause of diseases that can be fatal if left untreated, such as meningitis and fulminant septicemia in many countries. Invasive meningococcal infections are usually caused by serotypes A, B, C, W-135, X, Y. The disease is mostly seen in childhood and adolescents, mostly in children aged 2-12 months.

Meningitis Vaccine

Neisseria meningitis is the cause of diseases that can be fatal if left untreated, such as meningitis and fulminant septicemia in many countries. Invasive meningococcal infections are usually caused by serotypes A, B, C, W-135, X, Y. The disease is mostly seen in childhood and adolescents, mostly in children aged 2-12 months.

What are the types of meningitis vaccine?

There are two types of meningitis vaccine, polysaccharide and conjugated. Both types of vaccine are effective against serotypes A, C, W-135 and Y. There are some publications that conjugate vaccines are more effective.

Polysaccharide meningitis vaccines: Purified, thermostable and lyophilized capsular polysaccharides. There are bivalent (A,C), trivalent (A,C,W-135) and quadrivalent (A,C,W-135,Y) forms. Since there is no T cell stimulation, its effectiveness is weak and short under the age of two. Short-term effectiveness in children over two years old and adults is around 85-100%. It is also recommended to combat the epidemic in countries that do not have sufficient economic resources.



Conjugated meningitis vaccines: Monovalent (A or C) or quadrivalent (A, C, W-135, Y) forms. There is also a combined form (HibMenC) with the Hib vaccine. Serotype C conjugated meningitis vaccines for children 2 months and older and adults provide 90% long-term protection. Serotype A conjugated meningitis vaccines (MenA) provide more effective protection than polysaccharide vaccines.

How is the meningitis vaccine administered?

A single dose intramuscular is recommended for MenA 1-29 age group. In MenC, a single dose is recommended for children over 1 year old, adolescents and adults.

What are the possible side effects after the meningitis vaccine?

Redness, pain, fever, weakness, drowsiness may be seen at the injection site. Rarely, it carries the risk of anaphylaxis.

Is meningitis used in adults?

A single dose is used in risk groups. WHO recommends the meningitis vaccine to children and adults in the risk group (military personnel, laboratory workers, travelers to endemic areas, those with weakened immune systems, etc.) to countries with 2/100,000 cases.

Who should not receive the meningitis vaccine?

It is not applied to those who have developed a severe allergic reaction at previous doses. It is not applied until the picture heals in diseases progressing with high fever. It can be used in pregnant women.

How is the meningitis vaccine stored?

Polysaccharide: Store at 2-8°C, not frozen. Consume reconstituted single vaccines within 30 minutes and multiple solutions within 35 days.

Conjugate: Store at 2-8°C, protect from light.

Lyophilized formulation: Protect from direct sunlight.

Diluting: Protect from light



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