In several countries such as UK and Ireland, meningococcal meningitis vaccine is massively uses to encounter the disease. Each year, in those countries, around 2,000 people are infected by Neisseria meningiditis, the common bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis. According to the WHO website, globally the disease have affect to 1.2 million people which are 135,000 cases among them end with death.
Since the disease classified as serious bacterial infection disease that’s onset meninges, the membrane that lining the brain, intensive treatments are critically needed. Many of the survivors are left with neurological problems that can stay longer until it fully recovers.
Who should get meningococcal meningitis vaccine?
The vaccine is highly recommended to the travelers to endemic areas of the world, laboratory worker with meningitis related work, and someone who have chronic illness in the past. This meningococcal meningitis vaccine is also routinely recommended to boy and girl ages 11-12 as a prevention mode. Unvaccinated adolescents with age 13-18 years and 19-21 years who enrolling in college are also strongly recommended to get the vaccine as precaution step.
Vaccine types
There are several types of vaccine that available on the market and commonly use to encounter the infection. Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, Groups A, C, Y and W-135 combination (MPSV4) which manufactured by Aventis Pasteur, Meningococcal polysaccharide, Serogroups A, C, Y and W-135, Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4) and Meningococcal polysaccharide, Serogroups A, C, Y and W-135, Diphtheria CRM197 Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4) which manufactured by Novartis
Vaccine effectiveness and side effects
Base on the previous study, the MPSV4 vaccine is 85 percent to 100 percent effective at avoiding the bacterial meningitis especially from meningococcus strain. This vaccine can protect the user for at least three years. Meanwhile MCV4 reported can protect the receiver much longer compared to the MPSV4.
Expert said that meningococcal meningitis vaccine is save to use. Some of several specific mild reactions have been reported such as redness and pain at the site of injection. Fever also has been reported as the most common mild reaction after the injection. Severe allergic reaction that lead to difficulty breathing or a burning, and pricking sensation could happen in very rare case (far less than 1 case per 10,000 shot given)