Meningitec: group C meningococcal vaccine
22 February 2002
A new vaccine against meningococcal C disease is now available in Australia. Meningitec vaccine is given to protect against group C meningococcal infection which is a frequent cause of meningitis in Australia.
Meningitis is a medical emergency in which infection causes the meninges (the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) to become inflamed. Many different bacteria and viruses can cause meningitis.
Meningitis due to the bacterium called Meningococcus is highly infectious and can rapidly result in death. Meningococcus is also known by its proper Latin name of Neisseria meningitidis. There are at least 13 subgroups of Meningococcus with 2 of them, known as groups B and C, being responsible for more than 90 per cent of meningococcal disease in Australia.
The Meningitec vaccine offers protection against infection by group C meningococcal infections. Group C infections accounted for 39 per cent of those infections that could be categorised in 1999 and people with group C disease appeared to have a greater risk of dying than those with group B disease.
Meningitec vaccine can be given to children from 6 weeks of age, to adolescents and to adults. It is not recommended for the elderly, pregnant women or nursing mothers. The vaccine is injected into muscle, usually in the thigh or upper arm.
Safety
The Menigitec vaccine has been used extensively in children and adolescents in the United Kingdom since 1999 and has appeared to be effective and safe. No serious adverse effects have been linked to the vaccine, and fever and injection site reactions (such as redness or pain) seem to occur at the same rate as with other childhood vaccines.
Cost
To date, the vaccine is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and so has to be paid for by the individual requesting it. Menigitec will cost between $60 and $70.
For more information on vaccination against Meningococcus, see your doctor.
Last Reviewed: 22 February 2002
