How does it work?

This vaccine contains extracts of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria group C, a bacteria that causes meningitis. It stimulates the body's immune response without causing the disease. When the body is exposed to foreign organisms, the immune system produces antibodies. These antibodies are specific to the infecting agent and their first function is to help the body recognise and kill the foreign organisms. The antibodies formed remain in the body and recognise and attack any future infection with the same organism. This is known as immunity. Protection against many infections can be provided artificially by means of vaccines derived from altered forms of infecting organisms. These vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies in the same way as genuine infection, without actually causing the disease. As the organisms stimulate the production of a specific type of antibody, a different vaccine must be used for each disease. The meningococcal group C vaccine provides immunity against meningitis caused by group C meningococcal bacteria. For babies under 12 months it is given as three separate doses, with an interval of at least one month between doses. For children aged 12 months and over, adolescents and adults, only one dose is needed.

What is it used for?

Vaccination against meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis group C

Warning!

People whose immune system is underactive, for example due to diseases such as HIV or AIDS, or treatment with immunosuppressant medicines such as chemotherapy or corticosteroids, may not produce an adequate immune response to this vaccine. For further advice talk to your doctor.

This vaccine only provides protection against menigitis caused by group C Neisseiria meningitidis bacteria. It will not protect against other groups of Neisseria meningitidis, or other organisms that cause meningitis or septicaemia.

Use with caution in

Blood clotting disorders

Reduced platelet count in the blood

Not to be used in

Babies under 2 months of age

Known sensitivity or allergy to diphtheria toxoid (Meningitec only)

Known sensitivity or allergy to tetanus toxoid (NeisVac-C only)

Sudden severe feverish illness

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

There is no information available on the safety of this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It should be used with caution, and only if the benefit outweighs any potential risk to the infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Seizures (convulsions)

Fever (pyrexia)

Dizziness

Redness around injection site

Irritability

Pain and swelling at site of injection

Rash or itching

Pain in the muscles (myalgia) in adults

Loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea in infants and toddlers

Drowsiness or impaired sleeping in infants and toddlers

Headache and sleepiness in older children and adults

Allergic reactions such as narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm) or swelling of the lips, throat and tongue (angioedema)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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