Meningococcal A conjugate vaccine

Indications

Prevention of meningitis due to meningococcus A in countries of the African meningitis belt.

Composition, forms, route of administration

• Inactivated conjugated bacterial vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis group A.
• Powder for injection, to be dissolved with the entire vial of the diluent supplied by the manufacturer.
• Vials of 10 doses: 5 micrograms of meningococcal A antigen per 0.5 ml dose for children aged 3 to 24 months, and 10 micrograms per 0.5 ml dose for children from 1 year and adults up to 29 years.
• For deep IM injection, into the anterolateral part of the thigh in children under 2 years or into the deltoid muscle in children 2 years and over and adults.

Dose and vaccination schedule

• Child 3 to under 9 months: 2 doses of 0.5 ml, to be administered at least 8 weeks apart.
• Child 9 months and over: 0.5 ml single dose.
• Adult: 0.5 ml single dose.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer to patients with history of allergic reaction to a previous injection of meningococcal vaccine.
• Vaccination should be postponed in the event of severe acute febrile illness; minor infections are not contra-indications.
• May cause mild local reaction and mild fever.
• Do not mix with other vaccines in the same syringe.
• If administered simultaneously with other vaccines, use different syringes and injection sites.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: no contra-indication.
• Immunity lasts at least 27 months.
• The WHO recommends this vaccine for routine vaccination in children aged 9 to 18 months, for catch-up or periodic campaigns in children from 1 year, and for mass vaccination campaigns during outbreaks due to meningococcus A in children from 1 year and adults up to 29 years.