Meningococcal C Conjugate Vaccine
What is meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is caused by a group of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. Up to 10 percent of the population carry these bacteria in their nose and throat without feeling sick. In rare instances, the bacteria overcome the body's natural defenses and cause serious diseases, including meningococcal meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain) and meningococcemia (widespread infection of the blood). Meningococcal disease can cause permanent hearing loss, neurological damage or limb loss and is fatal in about ten percent of cases.
Meningococcal disease is most common in children under 5 years, adolescents, and young adults.
How does meningococcal disease spread?
Meningococcal bacteria are spread by direct contact with saliva and nasal mucus, such as through kissing or sharing food, drinks, musical instruments, or any other item that have been in the mouth of a person with the disease.
How does someone know if they have meningococcal disease?
The symptoms of meningococcal disease can vary widely, but include sudden onset of fever, severe headache, vomiting, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. A purple rash, sleepiness, confusion, and, in severe cases, coma may also occur. Infants can have a high pitched cry, an arched back, decreased appetite, or difficulty feeding. Symptoms will usually appear within two to ten days after being exposed to the bacteria. Meningococcemia can be detected through a blood sample, and meningococcal meningitis can be detected by sampling the fluid around the spine.
How can meningococcal disease be prevented?
To prevent the spread of Meningococcal disease, objects that have come into contact with another person's mouth should not be shared. Good hand hygiene and the use of sleeves, the shoulder, or tissues to cover coughs and sneezes are also important ways to prevent the spread of this disease. There are vaccines available in Canada that can protect against one or more strains of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease.
What does the Meningococcal C Conjugate (Men-C-C) vaccine protect against?
The Men-C-C vaccine protects against the "C" strain of the bacteria that cause Meningococcal disease. The "C' strain often occurs in outbreaks and is associated with higher rates of septicemia (blood poisoning) and higher mortality than with other strains of the bacteria1.
Who can get the Men-C-C vaccine?
The Men-C-C vaccine is publicly funded for individuals born on or after September 1, 2003 who are at least 1 year of age. It is routinely given at 1 year of age as part of the publicly funded routine immunization schedule. Individuals born between January 1, 1986 and December 31, 1996, who have not received a dose after one year of age, remain eligible for a catch-up dose.
It is important that children, who have received this vaccine at less than a year old, get a booster dose on or after 1 year of age. Immunizations with Men-C-C that are given under 1 year of age fail to provide enough protection once the infant is over a year old1.
What are the possible side effects?
About 50% of people experience mild reactions such as redness, tenderness, and swelling at the injection site. Irritability and fever in the first few days following vaccination may also occur among infants. About 10% of older children or adults who receive the vaccine may experience headache or malaise that can last a few days.
More severe reactions, such as an allergic reaction are extremely rare. These should be reported immediately to your doctor or emergency department. They include:
- hives,
- swelling of the mouth and throat,
- trouble breathing, hoarseness, or wheezing,
- high fever (over 40°C or 104°F),
- convulsions or seizures, and
- other serious reaction to the vaccine.
You should NOT have the vaccine if you:
- have had a allergic reaction to a previous dose of this vaccine,
- are allergic reaction to any of the components of the vaccine,
- have a serious illness, worse than a cold.
1 Canadian Paedeatric Society (2015). Meningococcal vaccines in Canada: An update. Retrieved from http://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/meningococcal-vaccine
2 Public Health Agency of Canada (2015). Meningococcal vaccine. In Canadian immunization guide (part 4: active vaccines). Retrieved from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/cig-gci/p04-meni-eng.php
Revised: April 2016