Meningococcal disease - immunisation

Meningococcal disease is any infection caused by bacteria (germs) called meningococci, also known as Neisseria meningitidis. Although meningococcal disease is uncommon, it is very serious. Meningococcal disease commonly occurs in one of two forms – ‘meningitis’ which means inflammation of the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord or ‘septicaemia’ meaning infection within the blood stream and widespread through the body.

There are different groups of meningococci, but group B and group C have been responsible for most cases in Victoria. The meningococcal C vaccine provides good protection against serogroup C strains and the number of cases of C serogroups has decreased following the introduction of this vaccine.
Unfortunately there is no vaccination currently available in Victoria for serogroup B.

Meningococcal bacteria live naturally in the back of the nose and throat of approximately ten per cent of the population. Occasionally, however, a disease-causing meningococcal strain is passed to someone who has no immunity to these bacteria and this can result in a case of meningococcal disease. If infection is diagnosed early and antibiotics are given quickly, most people make a complete recovery.

Signs and symptoms
These can include:

• Headache
• Photophobia (dislike of bright lights)
• Fever
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Neck stiffness or aching
• Backache
• Joint pains and sore muscles
• General malaise
• Drowsiness, confusion
• Rash of red-purple pinprick spots or larger bruises.

Infants and young children may also present with irritability, fretfulness, grunting and moaning along with refusing to take feeds.

Symptoms can appear very quickly, and people with meningococcal disease can get much worse within a few hours. If you or someone close to you has symptoms consistent with meningococcal disease it is important that the affected person seeks medical attention immediately.

How it is spread
Meningococcal bacteria are difficult to spread. They are only passed from person to person by regular, close, prolonged household and intimate contact with secretions from the back of the nose and throat. They cannot be picked up from water supplies, swimming pools, buildings or factories.

Research shows that low levels of contact with an infected person’s saliva are unlikely to transmit meningococci bacteria. In fact, saliva has been shown to slow down the growth of meningococci.

The vaccine
There are two different types of serogroup C vaccines – ‘conjugate vaccines’ and ‘polysaccharide vaccines’.

Conjugate vaccines
The conjugate vaccines can be given to all people from 12 months of age. These protect against serogroup C disease and provide long-lasting immunity.

Since 2003, a single dose of conjugate meningococcal serogroup C vaccine has been offered free to all children in Australia on turning 12 months of age, along with their other routine immunisations. If your child was born from 2002 and has not received the vaccine, a ‘catch-up’ immunisation can be arranged with your health care provider.

Immunisation with the conjugate vaccine is also recommended (at a cost) for:

• Any person who has had meningococcal disease (including group C), and was not immunised before having the disease
• Any member of a household who is in close contact with someone who has contracted the disease
• Any person with a damaged (or no) spleen.

Polysaccharide vaccines
The meningococcal polysaccharide vaccines provide protection against serogroups A, C, W135 and Y. Unfortunately protection is only provided for about three years with these vaccines. They are available (at a cost) and cover several serogroups not commonly seen in Australia. They are useful for people travelling to places such as Africa and for pilgrims to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia, where these serogroups are more common. These vaccines are not recommended for children under the age of two years.

Both vaccines for people at risk
People who are at risk of developing meningococcal disease should receive both the conjugate and polysaccharide meningococcal vaccines. These include:

• People with damaged (or no) spleen
• Laboratory staff who frequently handle the meningococcal bacteria.

Before immunisation
Before receiving the vaccine, tell your doctor or nurse if you or your child:

• Has had any other meningococcal (polysaccharide) vaccines in the last six months
• Is unwell with a temperature over 38.5°C on the day of immunisation
• Has ever had a serious reaction to any vaccine or if they have allergies.

Possible side effects of the vaccine
Severe reactions to the conjugate vaccine are rare and are much less common than the effects that occur with the disease itself. Some people may experience a mild reaction to the vaccine and these may include:

• A mild temperature
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability or crying – your child may appear generally unsettled
• Some swelling, soreness or redness at the injection site
• Headache (usually occurs in adolescents/adults).

There is a very small risk of a serious allergic reaction to any vaccine. It is important to stay at the clinic where the immunisation was given for 15 minutes after the immunisation.

Reducing the side effects
The side effects of immunisation can be reduced by:

• Drinking extra fluids
• Not overdressing
• Taking paracetamol to reduce fever – check the label for the correct dose (especially for children)
• Placing a cold, wet cloth over the sore injection spot.

If you are concerned about any reaction to the vaccine, contact your doctor or hospital.

Where to get help

• In an emergency, always call triple zero (000) for an ambulance
• Your doctor
• Immunisation Program, Department of Human Services Tel. 1300 882 008
• Your local Maternal and Child Health centre
• Nurse on Call Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• Emergency department of your local hospital
• National Immunisation Infoline Tel. 1800 671 811

Things to remember

• Meningococcal C vaccine provides good protection against serogroup C strain of meningococcal disease.
• There is no vaccine available in Australia for the meningococcal group B disease – this is the strain that causes almost all meningococcal disease in Victoria.
• It is important to go back to the doctor or hospital for immediate medical assistance if you are concerned.

You might also be interested in:

• Immune system.
  
• Immunisation - childhood.
  
• Immunisation - common misconceptions.
  
• Meningococcal disease.
  
• Vaccines.
  

Want to know more?

Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

(Logo links to further information)

Department of Human Services

Last reviewed: December 2009

The information published here was accurate at the time of publication and is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Please seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

This Better Health Channel fact sheet has passed through a rigorous approval process. The information provided was accurate at the time of publication and is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Please seek advice from a qualified health care professional.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Copyight © 1999/2010  State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.