Meningococcal vaccine ACWY
What is meningitis?
It is a disease caused by the airborne bacterium Neisseria meningitidis that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the central nervous system, with symptoms including headache, fatigue, fever and photosensitivity.
The importance of prevention
Meningitis is, despite all efforts, one of the highest morbidity (frequency of the disease in a community) and mortality diseases in the world. The vaccine is the best tool to prevent infection and control its spread. Meningitis affecting humans can have different origins and be caused by different serotypes of bacteria (B, A, C, W135, Y), covered by two groups of vaccines.
The vaccine
Trade name:
Menjugate / Mencevax / Menveo
Nimenrix (meningococcal ACWY)
Two types of vaccine exist in Italy. Monovalent, for meningococcal C, provides 1 dose. Tetravalent, for types A, C, W, Y, provides 1 dose from the age of 1 year.
Vaccines are composed of capsular polysaccharides (the molecules that make up the outer structure of the bacterium), administered intramuscularly.
It is administered intramuscularly.
Monovalent involves 2 doses with an interval of at least 2 months for children between 2 months and 1 year of age. Tetravalent involves a booster between the ages of 12 and 18 years for those who were vaccinated in childhood.
The most frequently indicated adverse reactions are pain, redness and induration at the injection site, malaise, fever, headache, irritability, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Vaccine administration should be postponed in individuals with acute febrile infections. Contraindications to the meningococcal vaccine are hypersensitivity to any of the active ingredients, any of the excipients.
If a pregnant or lactating state is present, a careful evaluation of risk and benefit by the medical specialist is necessary.
Your safety and health are at the heart of our commitment. You can always count on the experience and expertise of the Ambimed team.
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The information presented is general in nature, is published for general audiences, and is not a substitute for the relationship between patient and physician.