The meningococcal disease can be prevented by the following vaccines: MenACWY and MenB.

Who should get the vaccine?

All children, adolescents, and young adults should receive this vaccine as prevention.

When should the vaccine be given to my child?

• 9 months through 23 months: two doses three months apart.
• Two years of age and more: A single dose.
• Adolescents and adults at higher risk should receive the following:
  Primary Vaccination
  Booster at one year of age
  Booster every 2-3 years of age
• Higher risk status occurs when:
  Immunosuppressed due to disease or drugs
  An outbreak of meningococcal disease in the community
  Specific occupations (like a microbiologist, a military recruit, or a first-time student living in a dorm)

It is a compulsory vaccination in the immunization schedule in the US but recommended only for high risk groups in India like students, people travelling abroad, people with medical conditions like having the spleen removed etc,.

Where can I get this vaccine?

This vaccine is freely available. Please contact your healthcare provider.

Nathani Clinic and Travelsafe clinic have this vaccine in stock all the time. Please contact us for a free consultation.

Is the vaccine safe?

A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risks associated with the vaccine are much less significant than those if one should contract meningococcal disease.

MILD REACTIONS:

About half of the people who received the shot had mild redness and soreness at the injection site, which usually improved within 1-2 days. Only a very small percentage of people develop fever.

SEVERE REACTIONS:

Allergic reactions like hives and breathing difficulties occur only in rare cases, and the center where you receive the vaccine will have facilities to provide emergency treatment before shifting to a hospital in the extremely unlikely event that this should happen.

There is research out on a new vaccine (4CMenB – not yet licensed in India) that is effective against the remaining meningococcal bacteria that are not covered by the current vaccine, and this is recommended in infants at 2, 4 and 6 months, and a booster at 12 months.