Meningococcal vaccine

Meningococcal vaccine

What are measles and meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is caused by a gram-negative spherical bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, which is of the same type as the genuine pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but does not cause gonorrhea and is more severe in causing the disease, with a higher mortality rate.

The name "black fever” (ไข้กาฬ) comes from the severity of the disease, which can cause death in a short period of time.
The name "arched back" (หลังแอ่น) comes from the fact that patients with this disease may experience seizures and stiffness after the acute phase.

The disease-causing bacteria are divided into 5 groups: A, B, C, Y, and W-135.

Disease Transmission:

This disease is transmitted through airborne droplets from the nose or mouth, or through various secretions from close contact. However, most people who are infected do not show any symptoms. Some individuals may act as carriers and there are few cases where the infection spreads to the brain or bloodstream. In Thailand, there have been sporadic cases of this disease, but no major outbreaks. From previous statistics, the number of deaths from this disease in Thailand does not exceed 10 people per year.

Easy contact through close proximity or being in close proximity with a large group, such as students or residents in a dormitory, groups seeking merit, or groups of tourists or travelers entering areas with outbreaks. Therefore, there are recommendations to vaccinate this population group.

The Incubation Period:

The patient begins to show symptoms 2-10 days after infection.

Symptoms:

The disease begins with a sudden high fever, severe headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, joint pain, and muscle aches, especially in the legs and back. Eventually, there may be a rash of dark blood and black spots under the skin. In severe cases, the patient may experience meningitis with accompanying stiffness of the neck. In some cases, the patient may experience seizures, shock, and may even die within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Transmission of the disease is easy through close contact, such as in crowded environments like dormitories, groups of people seeking alms, or groups of tourists traveling to areas where the disease is prevalent. Therefore, it is recommended that this vaccine be administered to populations in these groups.

The vaccine for prevention of meningococcal disease

The vaccine for prevention of meningococcal disease is used in Thailand and can prevent 4 strains of the disease: A, C, Y, and W-135. However, the most common strain found in Thailand is B, for which there is currently no vaccine. Therefore, there is no general recommendation for Thai people to receive the vaccine for prevention of this disease. The vaccine is only used in cases where people will travel to an area where the disease is endemic, or for people living in an area with an outbreak who know the strain of the infection, or for people who will be traveling to an area with an endemic outbreak, such as the Saharan region in Africa, or countries in Central and East Asia. Those who plan to travel to such areas, such as Thai Muslims who go to seek blessings in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, should receive the vaccine for prevention of meningococcal disease at least 10 days before traveling. The vaccine for prevention of meningococcal disease is divided into two main types:

The polysaccharide vaccine is made from pure extracts of the capsule of the meningococcal bacteria and is extracted from 4 strains: A, C, Y, and W-135. This vaccine is effective and efficient in preventing infection with meningococcal strains A and C in children over 2 years old and in adults. However, it is not very effective in providing immunity against strain C in children under 2 years old and is not effective against strains Y and W-135. The vaccine is therefore not recommended for these strains.
The Conjugate vaccine is a new type of meningitis vaccine that can stimulate the immune system for a longer period of time. It is created by combining protein components with polysaccharides from the capsule of the meningitis bacteria serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135. This vaccine is used to prevent meningitis infections in individuals aged 2-55 years old.

Who should receive this vaccine and how many doses should they receive?

The people who should receive this vaccine are divided into four major groups:

Children over 2 years old and adults who are at risk of infection, such as those who travel to or reside in outbreak areas.
Students who will continue their studies in the United States or some countries in Europe, especially those who will stay in dormitories, due to previous outbreaks of the disease among students. Therefore, many schools and universities in the United States require students to receive this vaccine before they start studying and submit proof of vaccination.
People who seek to perform Hajj and Umrah rituals, which is a requirement of the Saudi Arabian government. Before participating in these rituals, they must receive the meningococcal vaccine and submit proof of vaccination to obtain a visa. It is recommended that they receive the vaccine at least 10 days before traveling and no later than 2 years prior.
Tourists/travelers who will go to the countries in the Meningitis belt in Africa, starting from Gambia, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Guinea to the east as far as Ethiopia or enter areas where the disease is prevalent. Especially, if they will have close contact with people in these areas, they should receive the vaccine before traveling.

The vaccine is administered either subcutaneously with the type of polysaccharide or intramuscularly with the type of conjugate.

It is recommended to postpone receiving the vaccine for Meningococcal disease for those who:

Have experienced a severe reaction to this vaccine or any of its components, or have an allergy to latex, which is a component of the vaccine container.
Have a weakened immune system, such as those who have received steroid medication for more than two weeks, cancer patients who have received chemotherapy or radiation therapy, patients with advanced HIV infection or severe immune deficiencies. It is recommended to consult a doctor before receiving the vaccine.

Possible side effects that may occur after receiving the vaccine include:

Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth at the injection site, which usually resolve within 2-3 days. If experiencing any of these side effects, applying a cool compress to the affected area and taking an appropriate dose of fever-reducing medication is recommended. If side effects are severe or persistent, seek medical attention immediately and provide a detailed report of symptoms to the doctor.

Best regards from the Vaccination Center,Vibhavadi Hospital.