What is Meningococcal Disease?

This is a very serious bacterial infection resulting either in meningococcal septicaemia (with distinctive generalised purplish coloured raised skin lesions called purpura) or meningitis.

What causes Meningococcal Disease?

The bacterium responsible is Neisseria meningitidis which is present in the lining of the nose and throat of healthy carriers in countries where this disease is common. This bacteria spreads by close personal contacts. There are 5 types of the bacteria namely A, B, C, Y and W135.

What is the vaccine and how is it given?

The vaccine which should be used has 4 bacterial capsular polysaccharides (tetravalent A, C, Y, W). One dose of the vaccine can be administered into the muscle to the child after 2 years old. This vaccine can be repeated every 3 years.

Who should receive the vaccine?

The people at increased risk of meningococcal disease are those who are in contact with people from countries endemic for the disease. Therefore, this vaccine should be given to children and adults who are at risk of exposure to carriers of the disease.

Please tell me more about meningitis and its prevention

Meningitis is the infection of the lining of the brain called meninges. The child with meningitis can present with fever, tiredness, poor appetite, vomiting, headache, neck stiffness, reduce level of consciousness and fits. It is an extremely dangerous disease leading to death or permanent brain damage such as hearing loss, mental retardation, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Many viruses can attack the meninges and the brain giving rise to a condition called meningo-encephalitis.

The three bacteria that are commonly associated with meningitis are Haemophilus influenzae, pneumococcus and meningococcus. Vaccines are available for all three of these bacteria. These vaccines do not provide 100% protection but they will reduce the severity of the disease if the child is infected. As for meningococcus, the vaccine does not protect against type B bacteria, which is the most common type of meningococcal meningitis.