Meningococcal vaccine – dates, complications and price of vaccinations [EXPLAINED]

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The meningococcal vaccination is one of the recommended vaccinations and is often done during the first vaccination visit. Vaccination is very important because meningococcal infection can have very serious consequences. When should the first meningococcal vaccination be performed? How effective is the vaccine and how much do you have to pay for it?

What are meningococci?

Meningococci are bacteria that can cause serious and invasive diseases such as sepsis and meningitis. Hence the alternative name of the pathogen, i.e., Meningitis Disease. The most dangerous types of meningococcus are bacteria from groups B and C, because they cause 90 percent. all illnesses. Children at the youngest age, i.e. from three months to five years old, are especially exposed to the disease.

The greatest risk of developing the disease appears when contacting a person who is asymptomatic carrier of the bacteria. Infection occurs much less frequently in contact with a sick person. Meningococcal infection it is transmitted by droplets, as well as through close or direct contact with the secretions of the upper respiratory tract of a person infected with the bacterium.

Why is it worth getting vaccinated against meningococcus?

Meningococci are dangerous bacteria and can cause serious infections, including meningococcal sepsis and meningococcal meningitis. Sepsis is a disease that can damage many organs. The mortality rate in sepsis is up to 30 percent. Meningitis is often associated with sepsis, which significantly worsens the patient’s prognosis. In the case of meningitis alone, the mortality rate is around 5–13%.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IChM) is especially dangerous, and may be associated with sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Complications of this disease include deficient neurological symptoms, kidney failure, hearing impairment, cardiac arrest, amputation, and even death.

It is worth vaccinating the child against meningococcus, as the risk of infection is very high. A child can become infected by kissing, sharing cutlery or cups, and taking shared toys into the mouth. Meningococcal infections usually affect children up to 5 years of age, but also young people aged 16–20 years. It is worth paying attention to the fact that infection is possible only in very close contact with the carrier of the meningococcus. Close contact is a shared flat or, for example, a stay in a nursery.

1. Also read: Mandatory vaccinations for children – what should be remembered?

Meningococci – when to vaccinate?

According to Polish epidemiological data, most cases caused by meningococcus are recorded in infants. It therefore means that vaccination against meningococcus should be done as soon as possible. It is recommended that the vaccine be given in the first six months of a child’s life, around the second month. If a child is vaccinated against meningococcal infection between 2 and 2 months of age, a total of 6 doses of the primary vaccine and one booster vaccine should be given in the second year of life.

A later administration of the first dose of the vaccine, that is between the ages of 6 and 12, reduces the number of doses by one. If the first meningococcal vaccine is given to a one-year-old child, a booster dose should be given in the third year of life.

Vaccination against meningococcus is recommended not only for the youngest children, but also for people from other risk groups:

1. young people up to the age of 21, especially if they study and live in large dormitories such as boarding houses and dormitories;
2. overseas travelers, especially to Saudi Arabia, sub-Saharan Africa and areas of endemic meningococcal infection;
3. medical staff.

Vaccination against meningococcus – contraindications

In some cases administration of the meningococcal vaccine is inadvisable. The only absolute contraindication is an anaphylactic reaction in the patient to the previous dose of the vaccine, as well as an allergy to even one component of the preparation. There are also time constraints, including diseases with high fever, acute infections, or worsening of symptoms of certain chronic conditions. The doctor should also be informed about the coagulation disorders, because in these cases special caution is recommended.

Meningococcus – Side Effects of Vaccination

Vaccination against meningococcus may cause side effects or complications. In many cases, so-called vaccine reactions can occur. Their intensity may be slight and local, but there are serious complications. The mild side effects usually include swelling and pain in the area of ​​vaccination, fatigue, redness, and increased crying and irritability in infants. Fever is a less common complication. If they already occur, it is most common in infants.

In a few cases, longer-lasting or more severe post-vaccination adverse reactions, including disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, severe allergic reactions, vomiting and nausea, appear. Occasionally, skin changes such as hives may appear. Systemic, gastrointestinal, nervous or immune pain symptoms resulting from vaccination are much milder consequences than the effects of a meningococcal infection.

Also remember about compulsory vaccinations, including:

1. Vaccination against HiB – one of the most important vaccinations in a child;
2. MMR vaccine – vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella;
3. Vaccination against hepatitis B – when should you get vaccinated?

Meningococcal vaccination effectiveness

Vaccinated people account for about 83 percent. chances of obtaining resistance to meningococci from group B. Currently used preparations also effectively protect against meningococci from groups A, C, Y and W135. The incidence of meningococcal disease is currently low in countries with widespread immunization against this bacteria. In Poland, dangerous IChM is registered at the level of about 200-300 cases per year.

The importance of meningococcal vaccination it increases especially in the case of people traveling to endemic areas and those at risk of epidemics. Then there is a risk not only of infection, but also of bringing the disease to Poland.

Price of the meningococcal vaccine

There is a fee for the meningococcal vaccination. Since 2005, the meningococcal vaccine has been recommended, but is not included in the compulsory immunization program, and therefore is not reimbursed. In order to vaccinate a child against Gram-negative meningococcus, one should be prepared for the cost of about PLN 200-400 for one dose. The price depends on the type of vaccine and the scope of its action.

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