Meningococcal disease is a serious and potentially fatal infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides. In 1996, it created havoc in Delhi by affecting 616 people, and then 515 cases were observed after 20 years, which reached 867 by 2006.
The bacteria attacks the thin layer of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. Not only that, but it also has the potential to infect your blood. If left untreated, death can occur in most of patients.
Even if they do survive, many of them will be disabled. This is why the meningococcal meningitis vaccine has been made to protect people and prevent outbreaks in an ever-growing population.
Symptoms of Meningococcal Diseases
Meningococcal meningitis disease can damage the thin lining of the brain called the meninges and the spinal cord. On the other hand, meningococcal sepsis attacks the walls of blood vessels by multiplying in the bloodstream. You can observe these symptoms if you are infected:
-
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stiffness in the neck
- Confusion
- Photophobia
The worst of the symptoms are faced by those suffering from meningococcal septicaemia. It creates dark rashes in purple, fatigue, and many other conditions as follows:
- Fever and chills
- Cold hands and feet
- Severe Pain in the Body
- Tachycardia
- Rapid breathing
- Seizures
Can meningococcal be cured?
Fortunately, it’s curable nowadays, but the antibiotics aren’t that helpful. Even when identified at the initial stage, 8-15% of the patients can die within 1-2 days.
What is the meningococcal vaccine?
Meningococcal infection can lead to meningitis and sometimes sepsis. Both of these diseases can emerge in the unvaccinated population. The meningococcal vaccine is highly effective in protecting you from different types of meningococcal disease. It is available in two types, including the meningococcal conjugate vaccine and the meningococcal B vaccine.
- Meningococcal The conjugate vaccine protects against four major types of meningococcal bacteria – A, C, W, and Y.
- Meningococcal B Vaccines protect against type B meningococcal bacteria.
In India, paediatricians provide the Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine for lifelong protection against meningococcal bacteria.
Who should get the meningococcal vaccine?
Children under the age of five are the most vulnerable to meningococcal disease. However, even young adults and teenagers can catch meningococcal bacteria if they remain unvaccinated.
Vaccination Schedule for Meningococcal Vaccine
It’s best to consult your paediatrician to get more information on the meningococcal vaccination schedule. There are several manufacturers of this vaccination, so the doses and schedule can differ that way. Generally, the Indian Academy of Paediatrics recommends the following schedules for the high-risk age groups:
- For children aged between 9 months and 2 years, two doses of meningococcal vaccine are given with a three-month gap.
- For children above 2 years of age, one dose is required.
Can you delay the meningococcal vaccine?
Yes, it’s possible to delay the meningococcal meningitis vaccination, but only when your child is sick with some other disease. It can have an adverse effect on his or her health. If your child has shown some allergic reaction to a vaccine, it’s better to ask the paediatrician before administering the meningococcal vaccination.
Side Effects of the Meningococcal Vaccine
The meningococcal vaccine is safe for all age groups. It doesn’t result in any serious side effects. But, you may have mild complications:
- Pain from the point of injection
- Redness or swelling
- Fever
- Headache
If there is any other side effect seen in your child post-vaccination, consult the doctor as soon as possible. The chances are pretty rare, but you have to be careful in such a case.
Is the meningococcal vaccine necessary in India?
The meningococcal vaccine is pretty necessary because of the potential risks it can have on your health. Sometimes, it can be deadly, so you need to keep your body prepared before the bacteria make room for themselves to grow in your body. Timely vaccination can prevent it for a lifetime. Thus, if you have an unvaccinated child under 5 years of age, get him the meningococcal vaccine as per schedule. Otherwise, you could become a part of the meningococcal epidemic in the future.
