1. Meningococcal Vaccination
June 2017

2. Vaccination
There is no single vaccination that offers protection against all serotypes that cause meningococcal disease.
There are 3 types of meningococcal vaccines registered in Australia , which cover the different serotypes
Meningococcal C conjugate vaccines (MenCCV)
Multicomponent meningococcal B vaccine (MenBV)
Quadrivalent (A,C,W,Y) meningococcal conjugate vaccines(polysaccharide vaccines were withdrawn early 2017)

3. Meningococcal C (MenCCV)
Conjugate vaccine – Meningitec, NeisVac C, Menjugate
Introduced in 2003 initially with catch up program
Routine part of 12 month vaccination in combination with Hib - Menitorix

4. Meningococcal B MenBV Now available in Australia
Currently only one in Australia – Bexsero(GSK)
Not on NIP or PBS
Safe from 2 months
Complex Dosing – age dependent
Funded in SA for a 2 year trial in students in years 10,11 and 12

5. Meningococcal B
Based on their higher disease risk 4CMenBis recommended for these groups
Infants and young children, particularly less than 24 months
Adolescents aged 15 to 19 years
Children and adults with medical conditions that place them at higher risk of IMD, such as functional or anatomical asplenia or complement component disorders
Laboratory personnel who frequently handle Neisseria meningitidis

6. Meningococcal B 4CMenB 2-5 months old
Primary Vaccination 3 doses > 1 month apart
Booster Second year of life
Given deep IMI preferably anterolateral aspect of thigh
Fever prophylaxis recommended
Can be co-administered with other vaccines but
Fever less if not co-administered with other vaccines

7. Meningococcal B 4cmenb 6-11Months
Primary vaccination 2 doses > 2 months apart
Booster 2nd year of life
Given deep IMI preferably anterolateral aspect of thigh
Fever prophylaxis recommended
Fever less if not co-administered with other vaccines

8. Meningococcal B 4cmenb 1-10years OLD
Primary vaccination 2 doses >2 months apart
Booster – need not established
Given deep IMI deltoid muscle upper arm
Fever prophylaxis recommended if under 2
Fever less if not co-administered with other vaccines

9. Meningococcal B 4cmenb 11-50years OLD
Primary vaccination 2 doses >1 months apart
Booster – need not established
Given deep IMI deltoid muscle upper arm
No data in over 50s

10. Fever prophylaxis in children under 2
1st Dose paracetamol (15mg/kg) 30mins prior to vaccination
VACCINATE
2nd dose 6 hours later
3rd dose 6 hours later again
This was shown to reduce fever and not affect immunogenicity

11. Meningococcal ACWY who to vaccinate?
Children and adults with medical conditions that place them at higher risk of IMD, such as functional or anatomical asplenia or complement component disorders
People with increased incidence of IMD or high carriage rates
Infants under 2
Adolescents years especially if living in close quarters such as residential accommodation
Travellers –inc sub-Saharan Africa and the Hajj in Mecca
Anyone wishing to reduce their risk of IMD

12. 4vMencv 3 vaccines available in Australia Menactra (Sanofi Pasteur)
Menveo(GSK)
Nimenrix(Pfizer)
Brands not interchangeable
Can be co-administered with MenC-Hib in opposite limb

13. 4vMencv Funded for teenagers NSW year 11 and 12
Victoria and Queensland years
WA year 10-12
Private script otherwise

14. Recommended brands and doses of 4Mencv by age group for healthy individuals and travellers
Age at commencement of vaccine course
Recommended brand
Primary dose
Vaccination interval
2-6 Months
7-11 Months
12-23 months
Over 2 years
Menveo
Either Menveo
or Nimerix
Menactra,Menveo or Nimerix
3 doses weeks
2 doses weeks
1 dose N/A
1 dose N/A

15. Meningococcal 4vmencv Booster?
Recommended for travellers to high risk area every 5 years
Those at high risk of IMD every 5 years
Laboratory personnel who handle Niesseria meningitidis every 5 years

16. Variations from PI Atagi recommendations
The product information for Menveo states that this vaccine is indicated for use in persons ≥11 years of age. The ATAGI recommends instead that Menveo can be given to persons ≥2 months of age (refer to Vaccines).
The product information for Menactra states that this vaccine is indicated for use in persons between 2 and 55 years of age. The ATAGI recommends instead that this vaccine can be given to persons >55 years of age.
The product information for Nimenrix states that this vaccine is indicated for use in persons between 1 and 55 years of age. The ATAGI recommends instead that this vaccine can be given to persons >55 years of age.
The product information for Menactra states that a previous episode of GBS is a contraindication to vaccination with Menactra. The ATAGI recommends instead that any of the available 4vMenCVs can be administered to a person with a history of GBS.
The product information for all meningococcal vaccines (MenCCV, 4vMenCV, MenBV and 4vMenPV) states that there are no data on the use of these vaccines in lactating women. The ATAGI recommends that breastfeeding women can be vaccinated.
The product information for all 4vMenCVs states that vaccine should be administered as a single dose. The ATAGI recommends that these vaccines can be given in a 2- or 3-dose primary schedule to infants, children and adults who are at increased risk of IMD according to Tables and

17. Vaccination of close contacts
The meningococcal vaccine with the coverage of the relevant serogroup may be considered for individuals who have close household or household-like contact with some-one who has meningococcal disease, or for individuals at an increased risk of disease because of a local disease outbreak(such as an outbreak in a residential facility) – Public Health would be involved

18. Additional resources for primary medical care/vaccination providers
The Australian Immunisation Handbook, 10th edition – the most up-to-date clinical recommendations are contained in the online version of the Handbook ook10-home
Immunise Australia website
For more detailed information and complete reference list see the NCIRS factsheet Meningococcal disease