NeisVac-C

How does it work?

NeisVac-C is a meningitis C vaccine that contains inactivated extracts of Neisseria meningitidis group C bacteria, a type of bacteria that causes meningitis. The vaccine works by provoking the body's immune response, without causing the disease.

When the body is exposed to foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, the immune system produces antibodies against them. Antibodies help the body recognise and kill the foreign organisms. The antibodies remain in the body to help protect the body against future infections with the same organism. This is known as active immunity.

The immune system produces different antibodies for each foreign organism it encounters. This establishes a pool of antibodies that helps protect the body from various different diseases.

Vaccines contain extracts or inactivated forms of bacteria or viruses that cause disease. These altered forms of the organisms stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against them, but don't actually cause disease themselves. The antibodies produced remain in the body so that if the organism is encountered naturally, the immune system can recognise it and attack it. This prevents it from causing disease.

Each bacteria or virus stimulates the immune system to produce a specific type of antibody, and this means that different vaccines are needed to prevent different diseases.

The meningococcal group C vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against group C meningococcal bacteria. It prevents meningitis caused by this type of bacteria.

The meningitis C vaccine is part of the childhood immunisation schedule. It is given as two separate doses, at three and four months of age. The child will then be given a booster dose at twelve months, in combination with a Hib booster (a combined meningitis C and Hib vaccine (Menitorix) is used for this).

If you are aged under 25 years and have never been immunised against meningitis C, you should also have this vaccination. The vaccine is also recommended for people with a poorly functioning spleen, eg due to sickle cell disease, or who have had their spleen removed, for example after a car accident.

For children aged 12 months and over, adolescents and adults, only one dose of the vaccine is needed.

The vaccine is given by injection into a muscle, of the thigh for babies, and the upper arm for older children, adolescents and adults.

What is it used for?

Vaccination against meningitis C.

Warning!

People whose immune system is underactive, for example due to a genetic defect, HIV infection, or treatment with medicines that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy, high doses of corticosteroids, or medicines to prevent transplant rejection, may not produce an adequate immune response to this vaccine. For further advice talk to your doctor.

This vaccine only provides protection against meningitis caused by group C Neisseria 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 such as haemophilia

Reduced platelet count in the blood

People taking medicine to prevent blood clots (anticoagulants, eg warfarin).

Not to be used in

Babies under 2 months of age

Known sensitivity or allergy to tetanus toxoid

People with a 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.

This vaccine has not been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women. It should only be given to pregnant or breastfeeding women if the risk of exposure to the disease is considered to be high and the expected benefit of the vaccine outweighs any potential risk to the baby. 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.

Pain, tenderness, redness or swelling at site of injection

Fever

Drowsiness or impaired sleeping in infants and toddlers

Loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea in infants and toddlers

Crying in infants and toddlers

Irritability in children

Headache or sleepiness in older children and adults

Pain in the muscles (myalgia) in adults

Dizziness

Nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Rash or itching

Very rarely, allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm) or swelling of the lips, throat and tongue (angioedema)

Fainting or seizures (very rare)

Pins and needles or numb sensations (very rare)

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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