Meningitis vaccination

Written By The HealthMeth Team - Updated On Saturday, March 13, 2021 6:00 PM

Meningitis

Meningitis , or meningitis, or meningococcal disease , all terms used to express infection meningitis , which is defined as the protective membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, when infect bacterial infection meningitis called a type of infection term inflammation of meningitis bacterial , [1] There are various types of bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis, and there are six main groups cause most cases of meningitis around the world, and these groups are: [ 2]

  • Meningococcal A bacteria.
  • Meningococcal B bacteria.
  • Meningococcal C bacteria.
  • The meningococcal bacterium of type W.
  • Meningococcal bacteria type X.
  • Meningococcal Y type bacteria.


Meningitis vaccination

Meningococcal fever can be prevented by getting the Meningococcal vaccine, [3] and this vaccine is prepared so that it contains small amounts of killed meningococcal bacteria, and is given as an injection to protect people from infection with this infection, [4] The vaccine performs its function in protecting a person by containing substances that stimulate the immune systemIn the body and pushing it to form antibodies, where these substances are known as antigens, and the immune system remembers these generators when the bacterial invasion occurs. The antibodies formed in it are released to attack the bacteria and eliminate them, and thus protect the body from infection with meningitis, and it is worth noting that the vaccine in itself is safe and does not cause meningitis, given that it does not contain live bacteria. [3]


Currently several types are available from vaccines for fever , meningitis and protect against certain types of bacteria that cause fever , meningitis , and not all of them, [5] Veugd vaccine types of bacteria: A, the C, W, the Y, [6] and is advised to give this vaccine to all children, As for the vaccine that protects against meningitis B bacteria, it is still new, and it has not been recommended to give it a routine vaccination for healthy people, and so far it can be given to children and adolescents between the ages of 16-23 years who are at risk of developing meningitis. [7]


The importance of meningitis vaccination

The importance of vaccination against meningitis is highlighted by the fact that it is a serious infection that affects the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, and possibly the blood, and the infection is likely to reach a high degree of risk quickly, and may lead to death within a few hours, and despite the fact that meningitis is rare, However, some people get it, and it has been found that adolescents, young adults, and people suffering from other health diseases are at great risk of contracting it, and vaccination is the best way to prevent meningitis. [8]


The effectiveness of meningitis vaccination

The effectiveness of the vaccine lasts for a period ranging between 3-5 years, and its effectiveness is 85-90%, because vaccines do not protect against all types of meningococcal bacteria, but most of them, so infection may occur with a type of meningococcus that the vaccine does not protect against, and in general it can be said that The risk of developing meningitis drops significantly after vaccination. [3] [9]


Dates for the meningitis vaccination

According to the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is recommended to get the meningitis vaccine, [7] and in general, the vaccine that prevents meningitis from the bacteria types A, C, W, and Y is recommended. As follows: [1] [10]

  • All children 11-12 years old get a dose of the vaccine, then a booster shot when they are 16.
  • Adolescents who are late in getting the vaccine should get the vaccine according to the following:
    • If the first dose is obtained at the age of 13-15 years, then the booster dose should be obtained between the ages of 16-18 years.
    • If the first dose is obtained after the age of 16 years, the booster dose is not required.


As for the meningitis vaccine, type B, it is not given routinely, and it is recommended in some special cases as mentioned above, for example: individuals who have factors that increase their risk of developing meningitis, and we will come on a statement of these factors later in the article, and a vaccine is obtained Type B meningitis as follows: [7] [10]

  • People who are at high risk of developing meningitis: 2-3 doses of the vaccine should be taken, depending on the brand of vaccine, and more booster doses may be required as long as the risk factor is still present.
  • People who do not have risk factors for meningitis: Most of this group of adolescents, where the decision about getting the vaccine is made by the teenager, the parent, and the doctor, as it is preferable to take this vaccine in the age between 16-18 years, and usually it is done Giving teenagers two doses of the vaccine.


Meningitis vaccination in Arab countries

Some Arab countries include the meningitis vaccine within their national programs while others do not. For example, Saudi Arabia includes meningitis vaccination within the national vaccination program in three doses distributed over the age of nine months, one year of age, and 18 years, while other countries such as Jordan do not include it. Currently within the national vaccination program, it is content to give it in the event of a high risk of infection, or the presence of an epidemic, or travel to affected areas, or in cases of travel for the purposes of Hajj and Umrah. [11] [12]


Risk factors for meningitis

People with risk factors for meningitis should receive the vaccine, and the need for a booster dose of the vaccine may reach every 3-5 years. These people can be classified into the following groups: [4]

  • People who have lost their spleen.
  • People with Sickle cell disease.
  • People with immune system problems, for example those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that cause AIDS.
  • People exposed to infection due to the nature of their work, such as: laboratory workers, some camps, people who travel to certain regions of the world, and people who are near hot spots of meningitis.


Side effects of meningitis vaccination

Usually the side effects that may occur as a result of the meningitis vaccine are mild, and we mention them as follows: [5] [13]

  • Redness or pain where the injection was given.
  • Joint and muscle pain in a small percentage of people.
  • Fainting after receiving the vaccine, some people generally faint after medical procedures, and therefore it is recommended to inform the health care provider if they experience dizziness, changes in vision, or tinnitus.
  • Severe allergic reaction, in rare cases.


Contraindications to getting the meningitis vaccination

Usually are not classified colds and diseases of light as barriers prevent giving vaccine meningitis for children, while in the case of moderate illness to severe symptoms , prefer then to wait until symmetry to heal, and then get the vaccine, and in all cases , should be to consult a doctor before taking the vaccine, [ 10] As for the presence of hypersensitivity to one of the components of the vaccine or the outbreak of a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis after giving the previous dose of the vaccine, they are two main contraindications to the use of the meningitis vaccine. [5]


Vaccination for meningitis during pregnancy or breastfeeding

In the event that a pregnant or breastfeeding woman is at risk of contracting meningitis from the four bacterial groups A, C, and Y, she can receive the vaccine, as well as if she is at risk of developing meningitis B, and in all cases it is worth consulting the doctor about the benefits of giving the vaccine And whether it outweighs the potential side effects. [10]


References

  1. ^ A b "Vaccine Meningococcal Septicemia , Www.winchesterhospital.org , Retrieved 15-9-2020. Edited by .
  2. "Vaccine information , www.meningitis.org , Retrieved 15-9-2020.
  3. ^ A b T , "Vaccine Meningococcal Septicemia , the www.webmd.com , Retrieved 15-9-2020. Edited by .
  4. ^ A b "Vaccine Meningococcal Septicemia , Www.healthlinkbc.ca , Retrieved 15-9-2020. Edited by .
  5. ^ A b T , "Vaccine Meningococcal Septicemia , Www.msdmanuals.com , Retrieved 15-9-2020. Edited by .
  6. "Vaccination -Meningitis , www.nhs.uk , Retrieved 15-9-2020. Edited."
  7. ^ A b t "Your Child's Immunizations: Vaccines Meningococcal Septicemia , Www.connecticutchildrens.org , Retrieved 15-9-2020. Edited by .
  8. "Meningococcal Septicemia , Www.vaccines.gov , Retrieved 15-9-2020. Edited by .
  9. "Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine , www.luther.edu , Retrieved 15-9-2020.
  10. ^ A b T w "Vaccines Preventable Diseases : And , Www.cdc.gov , Retrieved 15-9-2020. Edited by .
  11. "edule Immunization Nation , www.moh.gov.sa , Retrieved 15-9-2020. Edited.
  12. “Guidelines for vaccination and monitoring of diseases to which he is vaccinated , www.moh.gov.jo , accessed on 9/15-2020. At your disposal.
  13. "VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT , www.immunize.org , Retrieved 9-15-2020.