Meningococcal Vaccine
About Meningococcal Vaccine
Meningococcal Vaccine belongs to the class of medicines called immunizing agents. Meningococcal Vaccine helps protect against infections caused by bacteria (germs) called 'Neisseria meningitidis' types A, C, W-135, and Y. Neisseria meningitidis bacteria can cause serious illnesses such as meningitis (an infection of the tissue that lines the brain and spinal cord), and septicaemia (an infection of the blood).
Meningococcal Vaccine is a vaccine or immunizing agent that contains Neisseria meningitidis types A, C, W-135 and Y conjugates. Meningococcal Vaccine helps your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the bacteria. These antibodies help protect you against the diseases.
A healthcare professional will administer Meningococcal Vaccine. In a few cases, Meningococcal Vaccine may cause side effects such as low-grade fever, redness, pain, and swelling at the injection site. These side effects are temporary and resolve over time. However, inform your doctor if any of these side effects persist or get worse.
Before using Meningococcal Vaccine, let your doctor know about your and/or your children's medical conditions, sensitivities, and all the ongoing medications. You must inform your doctor before getting Meningococcal Vaccine if you are pregnant, suspect you are pregnant, want to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Uses of Meningococcal Vaccine
Medicinal Benefits
Meningococcal Vaccine belongs to the group of medications called ‘immunising agents’ used for the prevention of meningitis (an infection of the tissue that lines the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (an infection of the blood) in adults, adolescents, children and infants over the age of 6 weeks. Meningococcal Vaccine contains Neisseria meningitidis types A, C, W-135 and Y conjugates that help the body to develop immunity by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against meningitis and septicaemia.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Meningococcal Vaccine
- Fever
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Feeling drowsy
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling irritable
- Swelling, pain and redness where the injection is given
Drug Warnings
Before using Meningococcal Vaccine, let your doctor know about all your and/or your children's medical conditions, sensitivities, and all medications used. Do not use any other drugs or supplements with Meningococcal Vaccine unless prescribed by the doctor. Meningococcal Vaccine will only protect against infections caused by the bacteria 'Neisseria meningitidis' types A, C, W-135, and Y. Meningococcal Vaccine is recommended not to be used under the age of 6 weeks. Inform your doctor if you have an infection with a high temperature (over 38°C); the vaccination will not be given until you feel better.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Meningococcal Vaccine may interact with medications indicated for immune reconstitution in pediatric patients with congenital athymia (e.g. allogeneic processed thymus tissue)
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Meningococcal Vaccine may interact with disease conditions, including Fever, Infection - Bacterial/Fungal/Protozoal/Viral, and weak immune system.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown whether Meningococcal Vaccine interacts with alcohol or not. However, it is advisable not to take alcohol as a precautionary measure.
Pregnancy
cautionThere are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or expecting pregnancy. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Meningococcal Vaccine is excreted in human milk. Inform the doctor if you are breastfeeding. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the medicine, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Driving
cautionMeningococcal Vaccine is unlikely to impair your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, sometimes, Meningococcal Vaccine makes you feel tired and dizzy; if it happens to you, do not drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor if you and/or your children have liver impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor if you and/or your children have kidney impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing.
Children
safe if prescribedMeningococcal Vaccine can be given safely to children and infants over the age of 6 weeks.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Consume a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Avoid processed and refined foods.
- Foods rich in vitamin C, such as tomatoes, strawberries, and citrus fruits, help to improve immunity.
- Limit dairy products such as milk and cheese.
- Limit alcohol and caffeine intake and quit smoking.
- Take adequate rest after vaccination.
- Drink a lot of water. Staying hydrated is essential both before and after your vaccination.
- Eat a well-balanced diet. A well-balanced diet is essential.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Meningitis: Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges.
Septicaemia: It is a bacterial infection caused by an immense number of bacteria entering the blood bloodstream.
FAQs
Meningococcal Vaccine is used to prevent meningitis (an infection of the tissue that lines the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (an infection of the blood).
Meningococcal Vaccine is a vaccine or an immunizing agent that contains Neisseria meningitidis types A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate that help the body to develop immunity by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against meningitis and septicaemia.
Usually, a minor infection such as a cold should not be a problem. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your doctor.
Meningococcal Vaccine may not fully protect everyone who is vaccinated. If the person has a weak immune system, they may not get a full benefit from Meningococcal Vaccine.
Meningococcal Vaccine should be avoided by those allergic to any of its ingredients. Avoid Meningococcal Vaccine if you are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system, unless recommended by a doctor.
A booster dose of the Meningococcal Vaccine may be recommended for individuals at ongoing risk of infection. However, please contact a doctor before taking a booster dose of Meningococcal Vaccine to avoid unwanted effects.
Meningococcal Vaccine should be administered by a healthcare professional. Do not self-administer.
No, Meningococcal Vaccine cannot cause meningococcal disease. Meningococcal Vaccine helps protect against it.
Meningococcal Vaccine causes side effects such as fever, headache, diarrhoea, vomiting, and nausea, drowsy, loss of appetite, irritability, swelling, pain, and redness at the injection site. Most of these are temporary and do not require any medical attention, as they will gradually reduce over time. Please, contact a doctor if these persist for longer durations.
