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Meningococcal C-Conjugate Vaccine: Menjugate™ and NeisVac-C™ and Consent Form

This page was reviewed or revised on Thursday, September 29, 2011 11:37 AM

 Environmental Health & Prevention Services

What is meningococcal disease ?

Invasive meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. It can cause meningitis (swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) or meningococcemia (blood infection). People with invasive meningococcal disease may have fever, severe headache, a stiff neck, nausea, vomiting and sometimes a rash. Meningococcal disease most commonly occurs in children under 5 years and adolescents between 15-19 years of age.

Is there a cure?

The disease can be treated with antibiotics. However meningococcal disease can be serious and about 5-15% of people who become ill can die.

How can you catch it?

Bacteria that cause meningococcal disease are carried in the throat and nose of up to 10% of healthy people. It can be spread by kissing, sharing eating utensils, coughing, sneezing and other contact where saliva is passed from one person to another.

Is there prevention?

Meningococcal C-conjugate vaccine provides greater than 92-97% protection against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C. Serogroup C is the group commonly responsible for outbreaks of meningitis in schools and universities. The vaccine has been used extensively in the U.K. and is safe. Meningitis vaccines have been shown to provide long lasting protection.

Are there side effects from the vaccine?

Most reactions tend to be mild and include soreness, redness, itching and or rash where the needle was given. Other side effects such as headache, dizziness, nausea and fever may occur.

Severe reactions are rare.

Please report any side effects to your doctor/nurse practitioner or local public health department.

Is it safe to receive two different vaccines at the same visit?

Sometimes two vaccines are given at the same visit. Meningococcal C-conjugate vaccine can be given safely with other vaccines. This does not decrease the effectiveness or immune response of either vaccine nor increase side effects. Individuals are exposed to thousands of different microbes every day so exposure to parts of two or more at once will not “overwhelm” the immune system.

Who should receive the vaccine?

The vaccine is recommended for infants 1 year of age, unimmunized children born in 2003 or later, and unimmunized adults born between 1986-1996.  It is also important for the following groups: people without a functioning spleen or who have had their spleen removed; people with certain immune system problems; students living in residence or dormitories; household and close contacts of a person diagnosed with meningococcal serogroup C disease.

Who should NOT receive the vaccine?

• Some people should not have this vaccine: if there’s been a past allergic reaction to aluminum, sodium phosphate, diphtheria toxoid (for Menjugate™), or tetanus toxoid (for NeisVac-C™).
• Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should check with their healthcare provider first.
• Those who have been previously immunized with the meningococcal C-Conjugate vaccine, or received the polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine (Menomune™) within the past 6 months must delay receiving the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine for 6 months.
• The nurse will delay giving the vaccine to anyone who has a fever or an illness more serious than a minor cold.

Severe reactions are rare. However, you should wait 15 minutes after your injection before leaving.

Report any severe reaction to your health care provider or to Community Health Services Department.