Vaccinations against meningococcal infection are carried out within the framework. Vaccination against meningitis

Meningitis is a serious infectious disease. In the absence of timely medical intervention, it can lead to death. The disease mainly develops in people whose immune systems are weakened.

The risk group includes the elderly, children, cancer patients and HIV-infected people.

Vaccination against meningitis and its necessity is a controversial issue, but many parents want to protect their children from the possible development of the disease. Now vaccination is the only preventive measure with high preventive reliability.

Types of diseases and their brief characteristics

, otherwise – inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord and brain, is divided into 2 forms – primary and secondary.

If the disease is not a complication of some other health disorder, then it is provoked by pathogenic bacteria that have entered the body through airborne droplets.

Pathological microorganisms enter the throat, and then, by overcoming the blood-brain barrier, reach the lining of the brain.

The viral infection that causes meningitis can enter the body in the following ways:

Through the water. Outbreaks of this infection most often occur at resorts where people use public pools. The pathogen that causes meningococcal infection persists in the aquatic environment.
Contact method of transmission. Pathogenic bacteria are present on the skin and can be transferred to a variety of objects. If the same things are used with a sick person, the pathogen can enter a healthy body and cause inflammation. Also, meningococcal infection can enter the body by eating unwashed fruits and vegetables, as well as by eating with dirty hands.
Airborne. If pathogenic microorganisms accumulate on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, the affected person releases them when talking, sneezing and coughing.

Often, enterovirus infections occur in the summer. According to the nature of the course of the disease, purulent and serous types of meningitis are distinguished.

Purulent

Purulent meningitis is a severe disease. Symptomatic manifestations are observed in humans already after 1 day from the onset of the disease; in children, a detailed clinical picture may be present even earlier.

Among the negative signs of purulent meningitis are the following health disorders:

intense headache;
attacks of nausea;
urge to vomit;
obvious intoxication syndrome.

In this case, the symptoms of poisoning of the body in combination with dehydration are strongly expressed, and toxic shock can often develop.

When examining a blood test, the following deviations from the physiological norm are revealed:

increase in leukocyte values;
the leukocyte formula shifts to the left;
ESR increases.

Also, the cerebrospinal fluid is cloudy and flows out in frequent drops or a thin stream. In the case of microscopic examination, cytosis is determined due to neutrophils.

Serous

The serous version of meningitis is characterized by a milder course compared to purulent meningitis and has a favorable prognosis. This development of the clinical picture is standard for the enteroviral subtype of meningococcal infection.

In case of timely medical care, the person returns to normal after 1-2 weeks.

A general blood test reveals:

increase in lymphocyte concentration;
the leukocyte formula shifts to the right;
in the cerebrospinal fluid there is cytosis due to lymphocytes.

White blood cell values also increase in the cerebrospinal fluid.

All of these changes are a typical picture for viral infections.

The serous form of inflammation of the meninges is divided into 2 subtypes - tuberculous and viral.

Tuberculous

This type of lesion is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. They spread to the spinal cord and brain from the source - the affected area in the body. The main risk factors for the development of tuberculous meningitis are the following:

excessive consumption of alcohol-containing products;
AIDS;
pulmonary tuberculosis;
weakened immune system.

Symptoms often develop slowly and, in addition to the standard manifestations of meningitis, include the following ailments:

decreased appetite;
asthenia of increasing nature;
tracheitis;
nasopharyngitis;
tonsillitis of catarrhal type.

In this case, fever and chills are observed, but the temperature increases slowly, while its elevated values remain for a long time.

Viral

This subtype of meningococcal infection begins with symptomatic manifestations of the disease that provoked it. Such meningitis is characterized by the following clinical picture:

intense headaches;
mild fever;
general weakness.

In this case, meningeal symptoms are mild. Often the disease proceeds without any disturbances of consciousness.

At what age are children and adults vaccinated against meningococcus?

Vaccination against meningitis is not included in the list of mandatory vaccinations. It is produced en masse only in the event of an epidemic, when there are 20 sick children per 100,000 population.

In other cases, the decision on whether to vaccinate a child against meningococcal infection rests with the parents. To do this, it is possible to contact a private medical institution for a paid procedure.

Experts do not indicate the most suitable age for vaccination, since there is no consensus.

Some doctors believe that this vaccination is not advisable until the child reaches 2 years of age, since the immune system is not fully formed and is not able to give a stable reaction. If vaccination was carried out at this age, then it must be repeated 2 times - after 3 months and after 3 years.

There are no specific limits for adults, so you can get vaccinated at any time, provided there are no contraindications.

What is the name of the vaccine against meningitis and pneumonia?

There are vaccinations against meningococci of types A, C, Y, W135, they are called as follows:

Meningococcal A vaccine;
Menjugate;
Meningo A+C (polysaccharide type A+C vaccine).

Menjugate is conjugated, as it contains proteins of pathogenic bacteria, which allows the immune system to develop long-term memory.

There are no registered vaccinations for meningococcal type B yet, but a relatively recently developed vaccine is being tested abroad.

There are only 2 types of pneumococcal infection:

7-valent conjugated Prevenar;
Pneumo 23 polysaccharide.

Which vaccine against meningococcal disease is better?

Vaccination against meningococcal infection is carried out not only, but also during periods of exacerbation of the epidemiological situation. The A+C vaccine is often used.

It is introduced when there is a high risk of an epidemic. The entire population living in dangerous proximity to the source of the infection is being fully vaccinated.

However, each state sets its own epidemic threshold. When the number of cases exceeds a certain value, vaccination is required for the population. Different drugs can be used, depending on the specific state.

The main characteristics of vaccinations that are approved for use in Russia and can be performed in domestic medical institutions:

Meningococcal vaccine– produced in Russia. The main purpose is to form an active immune response in case of damage to the body by meningococci, which belong to serogroups A and C. It does not provide protection against purulent meningitis. This vaccination can be given to children from 18 months of age; a repeat is required after 3 years.
Mencevax ACWY– Great Britain or Belgium. The task is to form antibodies that affect meningococci of the ACWY serogroup. Allowed for use from 2 years.
Meningo A+C vaccine- Made in France. The goal is immunization against the probable risks of infection with a cerebrospinal type of inflammation, which is provoked by meningococci of serogroup C and A. It is used from the age of 18 months.
Vaccine Menactra– manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur Inc., USA. Intended for the production of antibodies to pathogens of serogroups A, C, Y and W-135. Can be administered after age 2 years. There is an age restriction - persons over 55 are not allowed to receive this vaccination.

Meningococcal vaccines for intramuscular or subcutaneous administration are produced in the form of a dry substance intended to be dissolved by the liquid supplied to it.

These drugs are completely safe as they do not contain living microorganisms.

How to vaccinate

The vaccine is given under normal epidemiological situations in the following circumstances:

There is a child in the team who is suspected of having meningitis. In this option, within 5-10 days, vaccination is carried out to all people who have been in contact with the presumably sick person. Vaccination is also given to all children 1-8 years old and adolescents living in the area of the probable outbreak.
If you live in a region where meningitis infection occurs quite often, or if you are planning a trip to such an area.
Sometimes vaccination is required for a child if he attends kindergarten at the age of 1.5-2 years.
In some cases, vaccination is recommended for people with noticeably weakened immune systems.

As you get older, the likelihood of getting meningitis decreases, but does not disappear completely.

- the spleen was removed;
- there are anatomical abnormalities of the skull;
- immunodeficiency was detected.

Doctors advise those people who are at risk due to specific factors in their life and professional activities to get vaccinated:

students living in dormitories;
conscripts;
medical personnel;
travelers and tourists.

In the case of a negative epidemiological situation, vaccination against meningitis is given even to pregnant women, when the risks of infection are higher than the danger to the child.

Contraindications to vaccination

Vaccination is allowed if the child is healthy or has some mild pathology. However, in the case of a moderate disorder, the specialist recommends postponing vaccination until completion of therapy - when all symptoms disappear.

The main contraindications to vaccination are the following conditions:

high temperatures caused by an infectious disease;
period of exacerbation of a chronic disease;
allergic reaction to the components of the drug;
acute inflammatory process.

But, before the first vaccination, it is impossible to know for sure whether the body will react negatively to it. However, in the case of a child, if allergic symptoms appear, then repeated administration of the drug should be abandoned.

Side effects and possible consequences

The body's reaction to the administered drug depends on several factors:

general well-being of a person;
quality of the administered drug;
fidelity to the doctor’s manipulations.

The meningitis vaccine does not pose any serious negative effects. However, the body is able to react to the administration of the drug in the following way:

chills, fever;
general weakness;
drowsiness;
muscle pain.

Local symptoms may also appear:

small rashes;
swelling;
compaction at the injection site.

Most of the negative manifestations disappear without a trace within 1-3 days. The tightness at the injection site can persist for 2 weeks.

The following symptoms should alert you:

difficulty breathing;
swelling of the mouth;
tachycardia;
pallor of the skin;
dyspnea;
high temperatures – 38-39 ̊C;
hives.

The reaction depends on the type of vaccine administered. The hemophilic type provokes local manifestations in 10% of those who receive it. Rapidly disappearing malaise, drowsiness and irritability are present in 1-5% of vaccinated people.

Anti-meningococcal drugs provoke skin reactions in ¼ of vaccinated people. They are often accompanied by an increase in body temperature.

Local reactions are observed in 3-5% of people who received the drug against pneumococci. Rarely, with this type of medication, headaches occur and body temperature increases.

How much does a vaccine cost - average prices

If the vaccination is given in a private medical institution or on a paid basis, the vaccine is purchased separately. The cost of such a drug is within the range of 250-7000 rubles. The main reasons for such price dispersion are the following circumstances:

vaccine manufacturer;
the type of bacteria to which antibodies are formed under the influence of the vaccine;
drug dosage.

A prescription is required to purchase the vaccine. If the procedure is carried out in a private medical institution, the cost of the vaccination will include the cost of examination and injection.

Is it mandatory to get vaccinated: pros and cons

The advisability of vaccination against meningitis is determined in Russia by the person himself or, in the case of a child, by his parents. The main factors that contribute to the final decision on the need for such vaccination are as follows:

If one of the parents had meningitis in childhood, then vaccination is required.
In case of frequent illnesses, vaccination is also necessary - it has a positive effect on the immune system in the case of other pathologies of the upper respiratory tract.
The vaccine is well tolerated by children, and the effectiveness in many cases reaches 100%.
If you plan to travel to meningitis zones, including Africa (the full list is specified at the medical institution), vaccination is necessary.
If a doctor has difficulty determining the exact disease of the throat or nose, vaccination is advisable - often such ailments are disguised as meningitis.
There are currently no other options for protection against meningococcal infection.

Meningitis can be caused by many harmful microorganisms. This vaccination is recommended by WHO. Vaccination against this disease is carried out in many countries of the world and is mandatory there, since the inflammatory process can be fatal. Vaccination allows you to develop immunity to meningitis and prevent the negative consequences of the disease.

Vaccination against meningitis is the only reliable way to protect yourself from a dangerous disease. Infection occurs through contact with a sick person or a carrier. According to national statistics, the disease most often occurs in young children. Therefore, it is so important to carry out preventive measures in a timely manner so as not to encounter complications of the disease in the future.

What is meningitis and why is it dangerous?

Meningitis is a disease of infectious or non-infectious origin. The pathology is characterized by inflammation of the meninges. Non-infectious forms of meningitis develop as a result of complications, injuries, and abnormalities in the development of the head. The causative agents of the infectious type of disease are:

Pneumococcus;
meningococcus;
hemophilus influenzae;
Klebsiella;
enterococcus and other microorganisms.

Children of the first year of life are especially vulnerable to pathogens because they have not yet formed immunity. Vaccination begins a few months after birth, and periodic boosters are required throughout life.

Meningitis is dangerous due to its complications and difficulty of diagnosis. The disease is often confused with ARVI, losing precious time for treatment. If assistance is not provided in a timely manner, the child develops blindness and deafness in a short time, and the sad consequence of inflammation of the meninges is death.

Who needs immunization

The meningitis vaccine is not included in routine vaccinations. Parents will not be able to find this name. However, some vaccines contain sera against individual pathogens, for example, Haemophilus influenzae.

Emergency vaccination is carried out in areas with outbreaks of this disease. Pediatricians and immunologists recommend vaccination:

babies and older children who have immunodeficiency;
children who attend preschool and school educational institutions or sections;
children who live in epidemically unfavorable areas;
if the child has been in contact with an infected person.

If parents wish, immunization is performed without indications. You can purchase the vaccine from public and private medical institutions and supply it at your own expense.

Emergency vaccination of the population is carried out during an epidemic. An epidemic is recognized when 20 cases of meningitis are detected among 100 thousand children.

How does the vaccine work and how long does it protect?

Vaccinations against meningitis are single-component and multi-component. The first contain the serum of one pathogen, while others form protection against several at once. After the vaccine is administered, immunity is formed already on the 5th day, so emergency immunization is considered quite effective against certain pathogens. The formation of antibodies is completed by the second week.

After the introduction of serum, active biological and chemical processes begin in the body. The immune system detects the causative agent of meningitis, recognizes it and produces antibodies. Immunoglobulins remain in the body for a long time. The duration of action of vaccines for different pathogens differs. Some vaccinations provide lifelong immunity.

If, after immunization, a child encounters a meningitis pathogen, the probability of infection will not exceed 0.1%. If infection does occur, the risk of complications and negative consequences will be 0.

Features of vaccination

In pediatrics, meningitis vaccinations are usually used against three main pathogens: meningococcus, pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae. Each vaccination has its own characteristics.

Vaccination schedule

Without emergency indications, the vaccine is given to children from 3 months. After the introduction of the first vaccine, a break of 1.5 months is required for the formation of immunity. At 4.5 months the vaccination is repeated. The next vaccine is administered at six months. It is the final step in the immunization program.

Revaccination is required for all patients who have received 3 vaccinations against meningitis. This procedure is prescribed one year after the administration of the last portion of serum.

3 months;
5 months;
six months;
one and half year.

If vaccination began between 6 and 12 months, then two vaccines are administered with an interval of 45 days. Revaccination is carried out every other year. People with immunodeficiency and adult children are vaccinated once.

Contraindications for vaccination

The vaccine is not given in the following cases:

allergy to the components of the drug;
acute period of infectious diseases;
exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
hyperthermia of unknown origin;
neurological disorders;
incubation period after contact with an infectious agent (except for meningitis).

Types of vaccines against meningitis with drug names

There are many microorganisms that provoke inflammation of the meninges. However, vaccination is performed only against a few. Meningitis is most often caused by meningococci, pneumococci and Haemophilus influenzae. Serums have been developed based on these microorganisms, which provide lasting immunity.

Against meningococcal infection

Vaccination against meningococcal infection is well tolerated by children and almost never causes adverse reactions. It is used in unfavorable areas, as well as during an epidemic. The vaccine is recommended for children living in these areas.

The serum is administered as a stand-alone vaccine or combined with other vaccines. By the 14th day after use, the level of antibodies in the child’s body reaches its maximum. The vaccination requires a single application.

Titles:

Meningo A+S- a drug produced in France. Recommended for use for children over 2 years old.
Meningococcal A+C or A- domestic vaccination. It is prescribed after one and a half years, and in case of an outbreak - from 6 months.
Meningo ACW– Suitable for use by children over one and a half years old.
Mencevax– Belgian whey. Applicable from 9 months.
Menactra- American vaccine. Suitable for use in 9-month-old babies.

Against pneumococcus

Vaccination is used against pneumococcal infection in pediatrics Prevenar 13. Immunization is prescribed for babies from 2 months. Vaccination is carried out for children under 5 years of age. The serum is administered 4 times, which allows the formation of stable immunity. The protective functions of the body are preserved for life.

An alternative to the Prevenar 13 vaccine is serum Pneumo 23. This drug is prescribed to children only after 2 years of age. It provides protection against pathogens of meningitis and pneumonia for 10 years.

Against Haemophilus influenzae

Vaccination against hemophilus influenzae is available free of charge. This vaccine was included in the national childhood immunization schedule. The serum is administered together with the DPT vaccine in a clinic at the place of residence.

Titles:

Hiberix– a monovaccine that provides protection only against Haemophilus influenzae infection.
Infanrix Hexa– combined serum against whooping cough, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae, hepatitis and polio.
Pentaxim– complex injection, forms immunity to Haemophilus influenzae, tetanus, whooping cough, diphtheria, polio.

How to vaccinate

The meningitis vaccine is injected into the muscle. To do this, use the front of the thigh or forearm area. The injection is not given in the buttock, as well as other areas where subcutaneous fat accumulates.

Content

This infectious disease is severe, resistant to antibiotics, and can lead to serious complications or, in extreme cases, death. Since children's immunity is unable to resist meningitis, the pathology is often diagnosed at an early age. A reliable preventive measure against meningococcus is vaccination.

What causes meningitis

Meningococcus is a dangerous infection that affects the lining of the brain. If treatment is not started in time, this will most likely lead to inflammation of the brain, which will cause the patient’s disability, coma, or even death. In a healthy person, the brain has natural protection that is formed by membranes between the bloodstream and the organ. This barrier prevents the development of an immune reaction directed at the brain itself.

Meningitis affects the lining of the organ, resulting in damage to the brain by bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms, and they are beyond the reach of the immune system, so they multiply freely. When the human body eventually begins to fight the pathogen, the problem often gets worse. As the infection fights, the blood vessels become thinner, causing fluid, white blood cells and other particles to leak into the lining of the brain, worsening the symptoms of meningitis.

The disease can be caused by one type of bacterial infection, but the most common causative agent of meningitis is pneumococcus. Meningococcus can provoke outbreaks of pathology in closed groups: military barracks, dormitories, etc. Haemophilus influenzae can also cause meningitis in adults or children, and in the latter the disease has been diagnosed much less frequently in recent years, which is associated with the popularization of vaccination of infants.

Bacterial meningitis occurs for various reasons. Often the infection affects adults as a result of the active reproduction of pathogenic flora that is already present in the oral cavity and nasopharynx. Bacteria enter the circulatory system and are then transported to the lining of the brain. In addition, meningitis can be caused by an infection in the ears and sinuses. This serious disease often causes complications that affect not only the brain, but also the neck and head. In extreme cases, a patient with meningitis undergoes surgery.

Measures to prevent meningitis

The meningococcal vaccination is one of the most reliable preventive measures to prevent infection with meningitis. Compared to vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox, which are mandatory for babies born in Russia, vaccination against meningitis is not included in the calendar of planned preventive measures. However, parents can elect to have their child immunized by visiting a private clinic.

Vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae

This infection is transmitted by airborne droplets or household contact, affecting the respiratory organs and sometimes the central nervous system. It forms foci of inflammation throughout the body and most often spreads among children 4-6 years old. The infection can occur in the form of otitis media, acute respiratory infections, meningitis, pneumonia, bronchitis or sepsis. It is difficult to treat the disease because the pathogen is resistant to antibiotic therapy.

The vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae is administered in three portions. As a rule, the first procedure is carried out at three months of age, the second when the baby reaches 4-5 months, and the last vaccination can be done at six months. Revaccination in order to maintain the immunity formed to meningitis is carried out for a child at 1.5 years of age. The vaccine is injected into the shoulder or anterolateral area of the thigh (the smallest children are given an injection in this place).

Vaccine against pneumococcal infection for children

In Russia, vaccination is done with one of two registered imported serums - Prevenar or Pneumo-23. Both drugs rarely cause complications or side effects and are considered very effective. However, vaccines differ in the timing of administration. Thus, Prevenar vaccination against pneumococcal infection is indicated for children from 3 months, and Pneumo-23 is administered when children reach 2 years of age. According to the results of the study, the risk of developing pneumococcal meningitis is high at the age of under 2 years, so preference is given to Prevenar. Vaccination schedule with this drug:

3 months;
4.5 months;
6 months;
18 months (revaccination).

If you follow the specified vaccination dates, a child under two years of age will develop stable protection against meningitis. Even if the baby becomes infected, the pathology will proceed easily, without causing complications, so you should not refuse vaccination against pneumococcus, especially since the procedure does not cause a negative reaction from the child’s body.

Meningococcal vaccine

It is known that meningococcal infection is the most common cause of the disease causing purulent meningitis. Immunization serves not only as a preventive measure, but also prevents the onset of epidemics. The meningitis vaccine gives a person protection for many years. In Russia, the vaccine against meningococcal infection involves the use of certain drugs that are approved by the Ministry of Health. Vaccination against meningococcus involves the use of one of the following serums:

Russian meningococcal vaccine. Promotes the formation of immunity to diseases of serogroup C and A. The serum does not protect against purulent meningitis. The drug is allowed to be administered to children from 1.5 years of age.
French vaccine Meningo A, C. Provides immunization of a child against cerebrospinal meningitis caused by meningococci serogroups A and C. As in the case of the Russian vaccine, Meningo vaccination is allowed no earlier than 18 months of age.
Belgian/British meningitis serum Mencevax. Helps form antibodies against meningococci serogroup ACWY. Adults and children over 2 years of age are allowed to get vaccinated.
American vaccine Menactra. Intended for the creation of antibodies against pathogens of ACWY serogroups. This vaccination is given between the ages of 2 and 55 years.

How does the vaccine work?

Meningococci are a large group of bacteria, divided into several subgroups, including A, B, C, W, Y and others. Depending on what substances the vaccine contains, it helps immunize the body against a specific type (or several types) of pathology. Meningitis in Russia is often caused by group B bacteria, against which no safe and inexpensive serum has yet been developed. However, epidemics of meningitis are caused primarily by meningococci type A, and in this case, vaccination can save the baby’s life.

To protect your child from contracting meningitis through contact with a carrier of the infection, it is worth getting vaccinated in a timely manner. Immunity to bacteria develops 14 days after vaccination. During the procedure, substances are introduced into the baby’s body that provoke the production of antibodies by the immune system, which effectively suppress a living infection as it penetrates into the circulatory system.

Who is contraindicated for vaccination against meningococcal infection?

Before vaccination, you should carefully study the instructions supplied with the drug, which contain a list of contraindications. The meningitis vaccine should not be administered to children and adults if:

high temperature resulting from infectious diseases;
allergies to a previously administered portion of the vaccine;
progressive chronic diseases.

Side effects of vaccination

Dr. Komarovsky claims that the reaction to the vaccine is due to several important factors:

the general health of the child;
quality of the administered vaccine;
actions of doctors performing the procedure.

Vaccination against meningitis, as a rule, is easily tolerated by people of different ages/sex, but the vaccination process may still be accompanied by certain adverse reactions. Sometimes after the injection, redness and thickening of the skin occurs, drowsiness appears, and body temperature rises slightly. As a rule, these symptoms disappear after 1-3 days.

What complications does the vaccine against meningococcal infection cause?

Meningococcal vaccination is a weakly reactogenic vaccine, since it rarely causes complications. Most children and adults tolerate the procedure safely, but in isolated cases the following negative consequences of vaccination appear:

temperature rises;
irritability appears;
an allergic reaction occurs.

Price

The cost of the vaccine depends on the type of serum (hemophilus, pneumo- or meningococcal), production and dosage. As a rule, vaccination against meningitis is done in paid clinics with a drug purchased by parents themselves. Since it must be correctly selected and transported to the medical office, the total cost of the procedure is high. Some public clinics purchase Prevenar and give vaccinations for free, but the serum quickly runs out and not all children have enough of it. The price of drugs for meningitis varies from 3,000 to 7,000 rubles.

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Vaccine options

There are three types of vaccines available to combat this disease.

Polysaccharide vaccines have been available to prevent meningococcal disease for more than 30 years. Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccines designed to combat the disease are bivalent (groups A and C), trivalent (groups A, C and W) or quadrivalent (groups A, C, Y and W135).
It is impossible to develop polysaccharide vaccines against group B bacteria due to antigenic mimicry with polysaccharides in human neurological tissues. Therefore, group B vaccines, used in particular in Cuba, New Zealand and Norway, were outer membrane protein (OMP) and were intended to combat epidemics caused by specific strains. Other universal group B protein vaccines are in the final stages of development.
Meningococcal group C conjugate vaccines have been available and widely used since 1999. Since 2005, quadrivalent group A, C, Y, and W135 conjugate vaccines have been licensed for use in children and adults in Europe, Canada, and the United States. The new group A meningococcal conjugate vaccine, introduced in 2010, has a number of advantages over existing polysaccharide vaccines: it produces a stronger and more durable immune response to group A meningococcus; reduces the carriage of bacteria in the throat. It is expected to provide long-lasting protection not only to vaccinated people, but also to family members and others who would otherwise be exposed to meningitis. The vaccine is available at a lower cost than other meningococcal vaccines; it is expected to be particularly effective in protecting children under two years of age who do not respond to conventional polysaccharide vaccines.

The following names of vaccines are used: polysaccharide - meningococcal group A vaccine, polysaccharide dry, polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine A+C, Meningo A+C, Mencevax ACWY and Menugate (conjugated tetravalent, against ACWY serotypes) and Menactra (conjugated tetravalent, against ACWY serotypes).

Vaccination is especially indicated for the following groups at high risk of meningococcal disease:

persons who had direct contact with patients infected with meningococci of serogroups A, C, Y or W-135 (in the family or in closed institutions);
persons with deficiency of properdin and complement components;
persons with functional or anatomical asplenia;
persons with cochlear implants;
tourists and persons traveling to hyperendemic areas for meningococcal disease, such as sub-Saharan Africa;
employees of research, industrial and clinical laboratories who are regularly exposed to N. meningitidis in aerosol-forming solutions;
students of various universities, and especially those living in dormitories or apartment-type hotels;
conscripts and new recruits.

It should be added that the European Commission has currently approved the drug Bexsero, produced by the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, intended to protect patients of all age groups, including children over two months, from meningococcal infection serogroup B.

Principles and purposes of vaccination

Meningococcal disease is potentially fatal and should always be treated as a medical emergency. Meningococcal meningitis occurs in small clusters worldwide, with seasonal variations and a varying percentage of epidemic bacterial meningitis cases.

Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial form of meningitis, a serious infection that affects the lining of the brain. It can cause severe brain damage and, if left untreated, is fatal in 50% of cases. But even when diagnosed early and treated properly, up to 16% of patients die, usually within 24 to 48 hours of symptoms appearing.

It is important to remember that there are endemic areas of meningococcal infection in the world, the so-called meningitis belt of Africa (sub-Saharan Africa, stretching from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia and Egypt in the east). High incidence is observed in Canada, with outbreaks occurring in France and the USA. Students of closed educational institutions and colleges are especially vulnerable.

Vaccine effectiveness

Vaccination is carried out once, the effectiveness is about 90%, immunity is formed on average within 5 days and lasts 3-5 years. In December 2010, a new meningococcal group A conjugate vaccine was introduced throughout Burkina Faso and parts of Mali and Niger, where a total of 20 million people aged 1–29 years were vaccinated. Subsequently, in 2011, these countries reported the lowest ever number of confirmed cases of meningitis A during the epidemic season. Immunization with polysaccharide vaccines leads to a rapid rise in antibodies, which persist in children for at least 2 years, and in adults - up to 10 years; revaccination is carried out every 3 years. Conjugate vaccines maintain immunity for 10 years and develop immunological memory.

WHO recommends polysaccharide vaccines A and C for persons over 2 years of age from risk groups, as well as for mass vaccination during an epidemic - both for individual protection and to create collective immunity and reduce carriage. A type C conjugate vaccine has been created and used in Europe, which has led to a sharp decrease in the incidence of meningitis C; England, Holland and Spain have included this vaccine in their calendars.

The effectiveness of meningococcal vaccine was also assessed in post-registration studies. Thus, in the fight against an outbreak of meningococcal infection in the United States, 36 thousand people aged 2 to 29 years were vaccinated. As a result of the case-control study, 85% effectiveness was revealed, and among children from 2 to 5 years old it was 93%.

Post-vaccination reactions

Vaccines against meningococcal disease are well tolerated. In 25% of vaccinated people, a post-vaccination local reaction is possible in the form of soreness and redness of the skin at the injection site. Sometimes there is a slight increase in temperature, which normalizes after 24-36 hours. These vaccines are not required for routine immunization in our country, but you need to know about them, especially for those parents whose child is at high risk of developing meningococcal infection, or those who are planning a vacation in countries with unfavorable conditions for the spread of this infection.

Risk of post-vaccination complications

Severe reactions are extremely rare: urticaria or bronchospasm - in approximately 1 case per 1 million doses, anaphylactic reactions - less than in 1 case per 1 million doses.

Contraindications

Contraindications are common for inactivated vaccines - until the symptoms of any acute disease disappear, until a chronic disease enters the remission stage. Absolute contraindications include the occurrence of immediate allergic reactions to previous administrations of this vaccine.

When to vaccinate?

Domestic vaccines – meningococcal A, A+C– used from 18 months, and also administered to adolescents and adults. These drugs can also be administered to children under 18 months of age if there is a sick person in the family or depending on the epidemic situation in the region. However, this measure does not create long-term, lasting immunity, and vaccination must be repeated after 18 months. Polysaccharide vaccines "Meningo A+C" and "Mencevax ACWY" are administered to children from 2 years of age. For vaccination of children over 9 months of age, the conjugate vaccine "Menactra" can be used, in this case it is prescribed twice with an interval of at least 3 months, and after 2 years is done once. The level of protective antibodies lasts up to 10 years.

Ask a question to a specialist

Question for vaccination experts

Questions and answers

Is it possible to continue breastfeeding after administering the Mencevax vaccine to the mother (according to epidemiological indications)?

When vaccinated with non-live vaccines, breastfeeding is allowed.

Please tell me, is the MENAKTRA vaccine available in only one form - meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (serogroups A, C, Y and W-135) conjugated with diphtheria toxoid? Doesn't she have any more release and dosage options?

Answered by Kharit Susanna Mikhailovna

Yes, the Menactra vaccine only comes in one form. If you are concerned about the presence of diphtheria toxoid, then there is the Mencevax ACWY vaccine (composition: meningococcal serogroup A polysaccharide, 50 μg; meningococcal group C polysaccharide, 50 μg; meningococcal group Y polysaccharide, 50 μg; 50 μg meningococcal serogroup W135 polysaccharide; as excipients: lactose filler, Natrichlorate solvent 0.9%, phenol preservative). The only limitation for this vaccine is that it is used only from 2 years of age.

My daughter is 20 years old, she is studying at the institute, this week one girl in her group died of meningitis. We are all a little shocked, and I also discovered that she does not have a meningitis vaccination. she made an appointment with a therapist on Thursday, there are no signs of illness, can we get vaccinated? In theory, she should be referred to both an infectious disease specialist and a neurologist. But I don't know, maybe we're wasting time? vaccines available: tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, BCG, papilloma virus. Please tell me what to do and how best to approach this problem? Besides, if you get a vaccine, what is the option? After all, we don’t know what meningococcal virus the fellow student died from.

We found the latest vaccination record. The vaccination was done on 10/22/2011 ACYW135 CONIUGA 1dose(0.5ml)MENVEO. But the question remained, about the deceased girl of my daughter’s classmate. What should be our next steps? My daughter is now 20 years old and 5 years have passed since the day she was vaccinated against meningitis. Is it necessary to conduct examinations if there are no signs of the disease? Is re-vaccination necessary or is a 15 year old child protected for the next 10 years? That is, does the protection cover it up to 25 years? In addition, the percentage of protection does not exceed 90 percent. What should we do in our situation?

Answered by Kharit Susanna Mikhailovna

In your situation it is difficult to give a definite answer. Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges; the disease is caused not only by bacteria, but also by viruses; getting meningitis does not mean that a person has suffered meningitis of meningococcal etiology. Severe bacterial meningitis can be caused by pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae type B, etc.

In any case, your child is vaccinated against meningococcus; after 5 years of age, vaccination with this type of vaccine is one-time. Unfortunately, in our country there is no vaccine against meningococcus type B. You are vaccinated against meningococcus group A, C, Y, W135 - these serotypes are common in the Russian Federation, but meningococcus type B is also found, against which you are not vaccinated. Usually, in the foci (where the case of the disease occurred) of meningococcal infection, chemoprophylaxis is carried out, i.e. an antibiotic is taken (in order to protect against all serotypes of meningococcus, including B). It is better to find out at the medical center of your educational institution what caused the student’s death. In any case, you do not need to be vaccinated against meningococcus.

Is the Menugate vaccine registered in Russia? At what age is it approved for use?

Answered by Kharit Susanna Mikhailovna

Yes, the vaccine is registered - against meningococcus C, now there is also a conjugate vaccine, but against 4 types of meningococci - A, C, Y, W135 - Menactra. Vaccinations are carried out from 9 months of life.

the child was diagnosed with meningo A+c at the age of 2, and now they offer us Menactra, please tell me that they are the same, or do we still need to re-install Meningo A+c

Menactra contains a larger number of meningococcal serotypes (not only A+C, but also rare groups Y and W) and requires only one administration. Therefore, it is advisable to get the Menactra vaccine if you have it.

Please tell me, I need to get a meningococcal vaccination to travel to the USA. Don’t tell me if this is possible for you or which one needs to be done, there are several of them.

Answered by Kharit Susanna Mikhailovna

Vaccination against meningococcal infection for traveling abroad can be done at any commercial Vaccination Center. The preferred vaccine is Menactra. You can also do Mencevax.

My son is 6.5 years old. At 2.5 years old, they were vaccinated with the Meningo a+c vaccine. Now the pediatrician recommends repeating the vaccination, but suggests the Menactra vaccine. Is it possible to use the Menactra vaccine after the Meningo a+c vaccine?

Polibin Roman Vladimirovich answers

Meningitis refers to inflammation that occurs in the membranes of both the brain and spinal cord. Pathogens can be bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. The virus affects both children and adults. Meningitis develops very quickly, intoxication and neurological symptoms increase, which sometimes have an unfavorable prognosis and pose a threat to the patient’s life. That is why it is so important to get vaccinated in order to protect yourself or your child from a dangerous infection.

Why does meningitis develop, what are the symptoms of meningitis and why is it dangerous?

Fortunately, inflammation of the brain is not a common phenomenon, since there must be certain prerequisites for this. Meningitis most often occurs in children under 3 years of age. This happens because the child's immune system is not yet perfect enough to resist all infections. Sometimes meningococcal infection, as well as damage to other types of microorganisms, are epidemic in nature. When exposed to unfavorable factors, a malfunction may occur in the body. In adults, the causes of weakened immunity are usually concomitant diseases.

The so-called “entry gates” for infection are the respiratory organs, mucous membranes, and sometimes the skin. Infection can occur by ingestion of the pathogen through food and water, through breathing and coughing, and insect and animal bites.

The development of meningitis is accompanied by two factors:

Weak immunity;
Penetration of the microorganism through the blood-brain barrier into brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (cerebrospinal fluid).

When the disease mechanism is started, symptoms usually develop rapidly and reach their apogee within a few days. In a child, meningitis may initially look like a common cold, which will then be aggravated by neurological pathology.

Symptoms of meningitis:

temperature rise to high levels, tachycardia, severe chills;
increasing pain in the head;
loss of appetite, drowsiness;
nausea, sometimes vomiting;
confusion of consciousness with short-term loss of consciousness;
rashes, conjunctivitis;
severe general and muscle weakness;
photophobia, hyperesthesia (excessive skin sensitivity);
increased nervous response to sound signals.

Important! If the above symptoms appear, you should not hesitate to seek medical help. We need to start therapy as early as possible!

After suffering from meningitis, complications may remain that will “pin” the patient to a hospital bed for a long time, and sometimes lead to disability. In order of increasing severity of the pathology, they can be presented as follows:

long-term headaches that cannot be treated with medication;
from the senses - decreased vision or hearing;
disruptions in the activity of the cardiovascular system;
dementia;
pulmonary or cerebral edema;
various types of paralysis.

As meningitis progresses, it has serious consequences, the most dangerous of which are respiratory paralysis and death.

Why is immunization necessary and who should receive it?

The most dangerous bacteria in epidemic terms are pneumococcus, meningococcus and hemophilus influenzae. And those most susceptible to infection are young children.

Infection can occur in kindergarten, or less often at school, and have an unfavorable outcome. That is why it is necessary to take timely care of the safety and health of the child, protecting him in time from impending disaster and all sorts of risks of getting sick.

Immunization against meningitis is not mandatory and is not included in the vaccination schedule. It is not carried out en masse for children in areas free from these infections. People in the regions begin to vaccinate “universally” only during an outbreak of an epidemic.

However, there are cases when doctors strongly recommend vaccination against meningitis. It is carried out in the following categories of the child population and in certain situations:

the child suffers from one of the types of immunodeficiency;
the child’s place of residence is unfavorable in terms of morbidity or a visit to this region is planned;
in a children's group, a doctor suspected symptoms of the disease in a child;
is carried out at the insistence of relatives (in this case, vaccination against meningitis will be paid).

Cases of meningitis also occur in adults, so indications exist for them too. These are individuals and teams of different categories:

health workers and laboratory technicians;
persons conscripted into the army;
tourists planning to travel to regions with an increased risk of meningitis;
-positive and patients with other forms of immunodeficiency;
With a history of cardiovascular pathology;
Those in contact with sick people.

Important! The situation is considered epidemically dangerous if at least 20 patients per 100,000 population are registered in the area.

What types of vaccines are there?

To avoid meningitis, there is specific prevention. It is administered to a healthy child through vaccines. There are the following types from:

meningococcal infection;
Haemophilus influenzae;
pneumococcus.

For each of them, there are different groups of vaccines, specific timing of administration and their sequence, which will be outlined below.

Vaccinations against meningococcal infection

Meningococci represent a large colony of bacteria, including several varieties (A, B, C and others). They most often affect humans, and epidemics are caused by subgroups A and B.

Thus, vaccination against meningitis is not only a method of disease prevention, but also a powerful obstacle to the occurrence of epidemic situations.

Vaccines approved by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and used in medical institutions.

Meningococcal vaccine (Russia). Vaccination creates immunity to A and C species. Not effective in case of purulent meningitis. Meningococcal vaccination is given at the age of 1.5 years.
Meningo A, S (France). Similar to the Russian vaccine, it increases the child’s body’s resistance against serotypes A and C. Age categories are the same.
Mencevax (Belgium, UK). Vaccination forms immunity against viruses of subtypes W, Y. Vaccination is allowed at the age of two years.
Menactra (America) - just like Mencevax, strengthens protection against serogroups.

Resistance to the harmful effects of pathogens is formed 14 days after vaccination. Usually administered once, maintaining immunity to meningococcal infection.

Haemophilus influenzae vaccine, preparations

Consists of antigens of this microorganism and tetanus toxoid.

The following groups of drugs are allowed in the Russian Federation:

Consisting of one component - mono-vaccines: Act -, Hiberix ();
Polyvalent combined: – France (poliomyelitis, tetanus, and) and Infarix Hexa (Belgium) creates protection against pathogens similar to.

The vaccine is composed of polysaccharide fragments (cell walls) of the corresponding bacteria. It is polyvalent, as it is created on the basis of various subtypes of microorganisms.

Mono-vaccines are used in Russia:

Pneumo - 23 (America);
– 13 (Great Britain. Performed routinely for a child at risk of CDI.);
Synflorix – 10 (Belgium).

Although vaccination against meningitis is not mandatory, it is carried out and is indicated in certain categories of the population. The vaccination schedule is approved in the relevant documents of the Russian Federation.

The following requirements apply to vaccination against meningitis.

Immunization against meningococcus is usually given once and provides long-term immunity. However, if contact of a child with a sick person is recorded, the vaccine is administered three times: the first - from 6 months, repeat - after 3 months and then - after 3 years.
To avoid hemophilus influenzae infection, do it several times. The timing of repeated vaccinations will depend on when the child was first vaccinated. According to the schedule, you should inject at the age of three, four, five, six months. Repeated vaccination in such cases is carried out after a year.
Against pneumococcus - there are several options. First: the vaccine is administered at two and four months, followed by revaccination at 1 year and three months. Second: at three months, at four and a half, then at six and the last one at 18.

Mechanism of action of vaccinations and duration of effect

The effect of vaccination and the formation of the body's resistance to infections is identical to other vaccines. This happens as follows. The vaccine contains antigens, or foreign substances, obtained through special processing and neutralization. Together with the vaccine, they are administered by injection according to appropriate regimens. The body begins to produce antibodies, forming an immune response.

Different vaccines have different durations of action. After this period, they are done again: revaccination is performed. In the case of vaccinations against meningitis, a stable immune system will be achieved after 14 days. At the end of a full course of injections, including repeated ones, it will last for many years.

Contraindications to vaccination

Despite all the positive aspects and effects of this procedure, there are conditions in people in which it is not recommended.

Vaccination is contraindicated:

in case of acute infectious diseases accompanied by intoxication with fever;
in case of intolerance to vaccine components that were identified earlier (if the vaccine is given for the first time, an allergic history should be taken into account and a test for the drug should be carried out in a timely manner);
for chronic diseases in the acute stage.

If there is a need for vaccination, the child should be treated. It is recommended to vaccinate no earlier than two months after the acute period of the disease. In case of aggravated allergic anamnesis, a scarification test is performed, which will reveal the presence or absence of a reaction.

How you feel after vaccination and the possibility of complications

In most cases, both children and adults tolerate vaccination satisfactorily. After 1 to 2 days, a slight swelling, redness, or just a pricking reaction may appear at the injection site. The post-vaccination period may be accompanied by a slight rise in temperature and general weakness, which resolve without treatment.

In severe cases, allergic signs may be observed - from minor swelling to a general reaction. Complications: temperature up to 39 degrees, dizziness, skin rashes, tachycardia, shortness of breath, Quincke's edema. A person in such situations needs urgent medical attention.

"Pros" and "cons" when vaccinating a child

The main, and perhaps significant, “disadvantage” is the parents’ fear of the possible negative consequences that the introduction of the vaccine may entail. But you should know: such an understanding of the situation at a critical moment can cost a child his life. Doctors recommend vaccination of every child.

Benefits of vaccination:

The only method to protect a child from a fatal infection;
Reliability and efficiency, good tolerability;
Guarantee against infection when traveling to regions unfavorable for the disease if one of the relatives falls ill;
In addition to protecting against meningitis, it increases resistance to colds.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it should be said that it is better to prevent the disease and preserve health than to take treatment for a long time. Therefore, it is necessary to take timely concern about measures to prevent meningitis. Do not forget about nonspecific prevention measures: do not swim in dirty water bodies or in places unfavorable for meningitis, avoid excessive crowds of people, observe personal hygiene measures, dietary rules, and maintain cleanliness in the room.