- Main vaccines against meningitis
- 1. Meningococcal vaccine C
- 2. ACWY meningococcal vaccine
- 3. Meningococcal vaccine B
- 4. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
- 5. Conjugated vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae b
- When not to get these vaccines
Meningitis can be caused by different microorganisms, so there are vaccines that help prevent meningococcal meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis from serogroups A, B, C, W-135 and Y, pneumococcal meningitis caused by S. pneumoniae and meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b.
Some of these vaccines are already included in the national vaccination plan, such as the pentavalent vaccine, Pneumo10 and MeningoC. See the vaccines included in the national vaccination calendar.
Main vaccines against meningitis
To combat the different types of meningitis, the following vaccines are indicated:
1. Meningococcal vaccine C
The adsorbed meningococcal C vaccine is indicated for active immunization of children from 2 months of age, adolescents and adults for the prevention of meningitis caused by serogroup C Neisseria meningitidis .
How to take:
For children aged 2 months to 1 year, the recommended dosage is two doses of 0.5 mL, administered at least 2 months apart. For children over 12 months of age, adolescents and adults, the recommended dosage is a single dose of 0.5 mL.
If the child received a full vaccination of two doses up to 12 months of age, it is recommended that, when the child is older, receive another dose of the vaccine, that is, receive a booster dose.
2. ACWY meningococcal vaccine
This vaccine is indicated for the active immunization of children from 6 weeks of age or adults against invasive meningococcal diseases caused by Neisseria meningitidis from serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y. This vaccine can be found under the trade name Nimenrix.
How to take:
For infants aged 6 to 12 weeks, the vaccination schedule consists of administering 2 initiation doses, in the 2nd and 4th months, followed by a booster dose in the 12th month of life.
For people over 12 months of age, a single dose of 0.5 mL should be administered, and in some cases the administration of a booster dose is recommended.
3. Meningococcal vaccine B
The meningococcal vaccine B is indicated to help protect children older than 2 months and adults up to 50 years of age, against the disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis group B, such as meningitis and sepsis. This vaccine can also be known by the trade name Bexsero.
How to take:
- Babies between 2 and 5 months of age: 3 doses of the vaccine are recommended, with intervals of 2 months between doses. In addition, a vaccine booster should be made between 12 and 23 months of age; Babies between 6 and 11 months: 2 doses are recommended at 2-month intervals between doses, and the vaccine must also be reinforced between 12 and 24 months of age; Children between 12 months and 23 years of age: 2 doses are recommended, with an interval of 2 months between doses; Children between 2 and 10 years of age: adolescents and adults, 2 doses are recommended, with an interval of 2 months between doses; Adolescents from 11 years of age and adults: 2 doses are recommended, with an interval of 1 month between doses.
There are no data in adults over 50 years of age.
4. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
This vaccine is indicated to prevent infections caused by the bacterium S. pneumoniae , responsible for causing serious diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis or septicemia, for example.
How to take:
- Babies from 6 weeks to 6 months of age: three doses, the first being administered, in general, at 2 months of age, with an interval of at least one month between doses. A booster dose is recommended at least six months after the last primary dose; Babies 7-11 months old: two doses of 0.5 mL, with an interval of at least 1 month between doses. A booster dose is recommended in the second year of life, with an interval of at least 2 months; Children aged 12-23 months: two doses of 0.5 mL, with an interval of at least 2 months between doses; Children from 24 months to 5 years of age: two doses of 0.5 mL with an interval of at least two months between doses.
5. Conjugated vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae b
This vaccine is indicated for children between 2 months and 5 years of age to prevent infections caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type b , such as meningitis, septicemia, cellulite, arthritis, epiglottitis or pneumonia, for example. This vaccine does not protect against infections caused by other types of Haemophilus influenzae or against other types of meningitis.
How to take:
- Children aged 2 to 6 months: 3 injections with an interval of 1 or 2 months, followed by a booster 1 year after the third dose; Children aged 6 to 12 months: 2 injections with an interval of 1 or 2 months, followed by a booster 1 year after the second dose; Children from 1 to 5 years of age: single dose.
When not to get these vaccines
These vaccines are contraindicated when there are symptoms of fever or signs of inflammation or for patients with allergies to any of the components of the formula.
In addition, it should not be used by pregnant or lactating women.
