Topic: Meningococcal Disease and immunisation
Description
Meningococcal disease is a severe but uncommon infection that occurs when meningococcal bacteria invade the body from the throat or nose.
Meningococcal bacteria are carried harmlessly at the back of the throat or in the nose in about 10% of the community at any given time. Although most people who have these bacteria in their throat or nose remain quite well, they are able to spread the bacteria to others, and a few of these people may subsequently become ill.
Meningococcal disease occurs in two main forms (or a combination of these two forms):
- meningococcal meningitis occurs when the bacteria infect the lining around the brain and spinal cord
- meningococcal septicaemia occurs when the bacteria invade the bloodstream and cause blood poisoning.
Practical Advice
Immunisation
Some types of meningococcal disease can be prevented with immunisation. There are a number of different strains of meningococcal bacteria. The main strains that cause meningococcal disease worldwide are A, B, C, W135 and Y. In Australia, B and C strains are responsible for the majority of cases of meningococcal disease.
In Australia there are two vaccines available that provide protection against meningococcal disease:
- a vaccine that provides protection against the C strain, and
- a vaccine that provides short term protection for A, C, W135 and Y strains for people over the age of 2 years.
There is no vaccine available in Australia for protection against the B strain.
Immunisation against the meningococcal C strain is recommended as part of the National Immunisation Program Schedule and the vaccine is available free for:
- all children at 12 months of age.
Possible side effects of the vaccine
Like all medications, vaccines may have side effects. Most side effects are minor, last a short time and do not lead to any long-term problems.
Possible side effects of meningococcal C vaccine may include soreness, redness and swelling where the injection was given, fever, loss of appetite and headache. These side effects should last only for a short time. More serious side effects are extremely rare.
Contact your immunisation provider if you or your child has a reaction following vaccination which you consider serious or unexpected.
Pre-vaccination checklist
This checklist helps your doctor/nurse decide about vaccinating you or your child.
Please tell your doctor/nurse if the person about to be vaccinated:
- is unwell today
- has a disease which lowers immunity (eg. leukaemia, cancer, HIV/AIDS) or is having treatment which lowers immunity (eg. oral steroid medicines such as cortisone and prednisone, radiotherapy, chemotherapy)
- has had a severe reaction following any vaccine
- has any severe allergies (to anything)
- has had any vaccine in the past month
- has had an injection of immunoglobulin, or received any blood products or a whole blood transfusion within the past year
- is pregnant
- has a past history of Guillain-Barre syndrome
- was a preterm infant
- has a chronic illness
- has a bleeding disorder.
A different vaccine schedule may be recommended if the person to be vaccinated:
- identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- does not have a functioning spleen
- is planning a pregnancy or anticipating parenthood
- is a parent, grandparent or carer of a newborn
- lives with someone who has a disease which lowers immunity (eg. leukaemia, cancer, HIV/AIDS), or lives with someone who is having treatment which lowers immunity (eg. oral steroid medicines such as cortisone and prednisone, radiotherapy, chemotherapy).
Care after vaccination
- For redness or swelling at the injection site, apply a cold compress.
- To lower temperature or relieve discomfort, paracetamol may be given.
- If fever persists, consult your doctor.
- If any reaction occurs that you consider serious or unexpected, seek medical advice.
- Contact the service provider if you or your child has a reaction following vaccination.
Where can I be immunised?
You can be immunised at your local doctor or medical centre. Some councils, community child health and community health centres hold free immunisation clinics. Check with them for details.
Other Resources
For further information please contact:
- your doctor
- your nearest population health unit
- 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
- Immunise Australia National Infoline: 1800 671 811.
Immunise Australia
A website about childhood immunisation produced by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.
Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing
Information about communicable diseases including vaccine preventable diseases.
Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR)
A website about the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR), produced by Medicare Australia.
Heymann, D., ed. 2004. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 18th edition. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association.
Communicable Diseases Network Australia, 2001. Guidelines for the early clinical and public health management of meningococcal disease in Australia. Canberra: Department of Health and Ageing.
Related Content
Meningococcal Disease factsheet
Images of symptoms for Meningococcal Disease
National Health and Medical Research Council, 2008. The Australian Immunisation Handbook (9th Ed).
Last updated: 21st April, 2009
Review Date: 24th March, 2010
