Meningitis C - the Vaccine
A vaccine for group C meningococcus infection was introduced into Britain during the Autumn of 1999. It is now routinely offered to all those aged under 25 years as part of the routine UK immunisation programme.
From 2006, Meningitis C vaccine will be given to babies at 3 and 4 months of age (with the 5-in-1 vaccine and the Pneumococcal vaccine); again at 12 months (with HIB). Older children, teenagers and young adults (under the age of 25) were offered immunisation in a catch-up programme in 1999. Just one injection is needed for people aged over 1 year.
Ingredients of Meningitec® vaccine (Wyeth)
|
|
|
The vaccination data sheet states that it should not be mixed with other vaccines in the same syringe, but that it can be administered at the same time as other vaccines, so it mixes in the same bloodstream.
There is concern among immunologists that using this vaccine may cause other forms of Meningitis (principally Meningococcal B) to become more prevalent. The C-strain bacteria has the potential to mutate into B-strain bacteria in order to survive.
Because it contains small quantities of diphtheria or tetanus vaccine, it is possible that children aged 15-17 could become hypersensitive as they will have received at least 5 doses of diphtheria protein since birth (i.e. DTaP at 2/3/4 months, DTaP pre-school + age 15 years). It is impossible to tell if this vaccine is "safe", as tests have only been short-term.
Side effects
It is difficult to determine the side-effects of the Meningitis C vaccine when given together with the DTaP, Polio, HIB and Pneumococcal vaccines, as nobody is certain of the effect one vaccine has on another when given in combination. Reported side-effects include crying, irritability, drowsiness, anorexia, impaired sleeping, diarrhoea & vomiting.