Meningococcal ACYW-135 Vaccine (Menactra®, Menveo™, Nimenrix®)
Vaccine brands: Menactra®, Menveo™, Nimenrix®
Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD)
Meningococcal infection is a very rare but serious disease. Most invasive meningococcal disease is associated with bacteria Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, B, C, Y and W-135. It can cause meningitis, an infection of the fluid/lining of the brain and spinal cord and septicemia, a blood infection. The infection is spread by kissing, coughing, sharing common items such as eating utensils, cups, cigarettes, music instruments and other contact where saliva is passed from one person to another.
Early signs can be similar to those of flu and other viral infections, making it difficult to diagnose. Symptoms begin with fever, aches, joint pain and headache. Within a few hours, children can become drowsy, semi-conscious, irritable or agitated and develop a red or purple skin rash. The disease progress very quickly. Complications include low blood pressure (shock), seizures, loss of hearing, amputations, brain damage or death.
There are five main strains that cause illness (A, B, C, Y and W-135). The meningococcal vaccine, Menactra® protects against four strains (A, C, Y, and W-135) and is 80% to 85% effective.
Recommendations for use
There are several types of meningococcal vaccines available in Canada. Meningococcal vaccines are highly effective but effectiveness decreases over time. Meningococcal vaccines can be given to people 2 months to 55 years of age (depending on product). Immunization is recommended for some career choices and travellers, but is not publicly funded for all ages.
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) offers free meningococcal Menactra® vaccine for Grade 7 students at school based immunization clinics. The vaccine can be given on the same day as other vaccines. Only one dose is required for teenagers. The vaccine given in Grade 7 is different from the meningococcal vaccine given at one year of age. If your child has received the meningococcal-ACYW vaccine (Menactra®/ Menveo™/ Nimenrix®) from your health care provider and it has been more than five years since your child was vaccinated, a booster dose is recommended.
Under the high risk meningococcal immunization program, the Men-C- ACYW-135 vaccine is publicly funded for individuals 9 months to 55 years of age with the following high risk conditions:
- individuals with functional or anatomic asplenia,
- individuals with complement, properdin, factor D Deficiency or primary antibody deficiencies,
- cochlear implant recipients (pre/post implants),
- individuals with acquired complement deficiency (e.g. persons receiving eculizumab),
- individuals with HIV.
Two to four doses of Men-C-ACYW-135 vaccine are required for high risk individuals, depending on the age at the first dose. Booster doses are then recommended every 3 to 5 years for high risk individuals 9 months to 6 years of age and every 5 years for high risk individuals between 7 and 55 years of age. For high risk individuals over the age of 55 years, a single dose of meningococcal polysaccharide ACYW-135 (Men-P-ACYW-135) vaccine is recommended five years after the last booster dose of Men-C-ACYW.
Close contacts of individuals with meningococcal infections have an increased risk of developing the disease and should be considered in addition to chemoprophylaxis when the serogroup is vaccine preventable, as it may further reduce the risk of subsequent meningococcal disease.
Vaccine side effects
Reactions are usually mild and go away in a few days. Common side effects include pain and redness where the vaccine was given, headache and feeling tired or irritable. Severe allergic reactions are rare. Signs of severe allergy include hives, swelling of the mouth and throat, wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, hypotension and shock.
You should report any side effects or severe vaccine reactions to your health care provider.
Individuals who should not get the vaccine
You should not get the vaccine if:
- you have had an allergic reaction to any component found in the vaccine or had a severe allergy to a previous dose of a meningococcal vaccine,
- are pregnant or nursing; consult with your healthcare provider,
- have previously had a neurological condition called Guillian-Barré Syndrome, or
- have moderate or severe acute illness with or without fever.
This vaccine is safe for people with medical conditions that impair the body's immune system.
Your record of protection
After you receive an immunization, make sure your healthcare provider updates your personal immunization record such as the "Yellow Card". Keep it in a safe place. If your child is 17 years of age or under and receives this vaccine please report this information to KFL&A Public Health online or by calling 613-549-1232. Health care providers do not automatically send immunization information to KFL&A Public Health. It is the responsibility of parents or guardians to provide this information.
KFL&A Public Health's Online Immunization Reporting
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