Meningococcus is a serious bacterial infection that particularly threatens children and can lead to meningitis. It can spread rapidly in crowded living areas, resulting in outcomes such as death or permanent disability. There are five main subtypes of the Meningococcus bacterium: A, B, C, W-135, and Y. Vaccination is the most effective method of protection against this infection. In Turkey, licensed vaccines such as Menactra, Menveo, and Nimenrix for ACWY subtypes and Bexsero for the Men B subtype provide protection. Vaccines can be administered in conjunction with childhood vaccines. Regular vaccination, especially for babies and children, strengthens individual and societal immunity.
Meningococcus is a bacterium called Neisseria meningitidis that causes various diseases in humans. This bacterium, which is the most common cause of meningitis in children and adults, is responsible for a certain portion of bacterial meningitis cases in our country. The Meningococcus bacterium is divided into five main types: A, B, C, W-135, and Y, and constitutes a large part of infections in humans.
Meningococcus, affecting nearly a million people worldwide each year, is a disease that particularly threatens children and is most commonly seen in infants under the age of six. This disease poses a serious health threat; while the mortality rate is quite high, the rate of permanent disability is also recorded at significant levels. The Meningococcus bacterium has the ability to spread rapidly in crowded living areas such as military barracks, schools, and student dormitories. This once again highlights how serious a risk the disease poses to public health.
The most effective way to protect our children from meningococcal disease is through vaccination. There is no single vaccine that provides protection against all subtypes that cause meningococcal disease; However, in Turkey, there are two groups of vaccines (ACYW and B vaccines) that provide protection against the most common subtypes. The protective period of these vaccines is at least 5 years. These vaccines are not live vaccines and do not interact significantly with other vaccines.
Menactra (Sanofi Pasteur), Menveo (Glaxo Smith Kline), and Nimenrix (Pfizer) are vaccines developed for the ACWY subtypes that have been licensed in our country. These vaccines can be administered at the same time as most routine childhood vaccines. However, Menactra should not be preferred at the same time as the 13-valent pneumococcal (PCV-13) vaccine due to its potential to interfere with the response to some pneumococcal subtypes. Ideally, administration of PCV13 first and then Menactra at least 1 month later is recommended.
Only the Bexsero brand has been licensed for Meningococcal B (Men B) vaccines in our country. This vaccine can be administered at the same time as other ACWY vaccines or other childhood vaccines or with a few days in between.
Meningococcal disease is a rapidly progressive infection that can lead to serious consequences. Vaccination is the most effective method of protection against this disease. Adhering to the vaccination schedule, especially for high-risk groups such as babies and children, supports both individual health and societal immunity.
Make vaccination your priority for healthy generations and happy tomorrows.
