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Introduction About MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE
MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE is used to protect against meningitis and septicaemia which is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis specifically against types A, C, W and Y. It contains Meningococcal Group A, C, W135 and Y Conjugate Vaccine which helps your body recognize and fight the bacteria that cause meningitis and septicaemia. It trains your immune system to protect you from the infection if you’re exposed in the future.
MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE is suitable for use in infants aged 1 year or older, and in adults and adolescents. It will be given to you by a doctor or a nurse into the muscle of the thigh or upper arms as an intramuscular injection.
Talk to your doctor before receiving MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE if you are allergic to vaccines. Before receiving MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE, inform your doctor if you have severely high fever or infections, bleed or bruise easily, a weak immune system or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE is generally well-tolerated. However, it may cause pain, tenderness, firmness, redness at injection site, mild fever and diarrhea, irritation, loss of appetite, tiredness, weakness, drowsiness, muscle pain, headache, dizziness, and problems in sleeping. Consult your doctor if they trouble you.
Uses Of MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE
Protect against bacterial infections caused by the Neisseria meningitidis specifically against types A, C, W and Y such as:
- Meningitis (inflammation of layers surrounding the brain)
- Septicaemia (blood infection)
How MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE Works
MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE contains Meningococcal Group A, C, W135 and Y Conjugate Vaccine which works by helping your body build protection against the bacteria that cause meningitis, a serious infection of the brain and spinal cord and septicemia (blood infection). The vaccine contains small, harmless parts of the bacteria, which do not cause illness but trigger your immune system to recognize and fight the bacteria if you’re exposed in the future. This way, if the real bacteria enter your body, your immune system is ready to destroy it, preventing the infection from developing.
How to use MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE
MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE should be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into the muscles as intramuscular injection or beneath the skin as subcutaneous injection.
It is given in the upper arm or in the thigh depending on the age and how much muscle you or your child have.
Side Effects Of MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE
Common
- Injection site reactions like pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling
- Feeling irritable, crying
- Loss of appetite, tiredness, weakness
- Drowsiness
- Mild fever, diarrhea, vomiting
- Muscle pain
- Headache
Uncommon
- Problems in sleeping
- Skin rash or itching, bruising, firmness,
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Rare
- enlarged lymph nodes
- Stomach pain
- Pain in the arms or legs
- Chills, pain in the armpit
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects after receiving MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE:
- Severe allergic reaction (such as skin rashes, itching, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness)
How To Manage Side Effects
Headache
Rest and relax. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or ORS (Oral Rehydrating Solution) and apply a pain-relieving balm on the head if necessary. Contact your doctor if your headache did not improve.
Injection Site Reactions
To manage injection site pain after a vaccine, you can apply a cool, damp cloth or ice pack wrapped in a towel to the area for 10-15 minutes to reduce swelling and discomfort. Keeping the arm moving and gently massaging the area can also help ease stiffness and soreness. Avoid tight clothing around the injection site to prevent additional irritation.
Warning & Precautions
Pregnancy
Consult your doctorPregnant women can receive Meningococcal Group A, C, W135 and Y Conjugate Vaccine if they were not immunised previously. However, consult your doctor before receiving MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
Breastfeeding
Consult your doctorBreastfeeding women can receive Meningococcal Group A, C, W135 and Y Conjugate Vaccine if they were not immunised previously. However, consult your doctor before receiving MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE as a precaution.
Driving and Using Machines
SafeMENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE has no or negligible influence on your ability to drive and handle heavy tools or machines.
Alcohol
Use with CautionAvoid consumption of alcohol before receiving MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE.
Allergy
ContraindicatedTalk to your doctor before receiving MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE if you are allergic to vaccines, antisera, proteins.
Use In Pediatrics
Consult your doctorMENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE can be used for vaccination in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years) if they are not immunized previously. However, consult your doctor for advice
Use In Geriatrics
Consult your doctorMENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE can be used for vaccination in elderly patients (aged 70 or older) if they are not immunized previously. However, consult your doctor for advice
Others
Before receiving MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE, inform your doctor if you:
- Have severely high fever or infections
- Bleed or bruise easily
- Ever fainted after an injection
- A weak immune system
Interactions
A. Drug-Drug Interactions:
Before receiving MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE, inform your doctor, if you are taking any of the following medicine:
- immunosuppressants (medicines that lower the body’s immune responses) such as corticosteroids Ex. dexamethasone, beclomethasone
- Chemotherapy
- Other vaccines (such as MMR Vaccine, DPT vaccine, Polio vaccine, Varicella Zoaster vaccine, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, pneumococcal, human papillomavirus and Neisseria meningitidis type B vaccines)
Overdosage:
MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE will be given to you only by a doctor or nurse in a hospital and so it is unlikely to receive an overdose. However, if you experience any unusual symptoms, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.
Synopsis
| Drug | : | Meningococcal Group A, C, W135 and Y Conjugate |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Vaccines and Antisera |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Meningitis, Septicaemia |
| Dosage Forms | : | Injection, Vaccine |
More Information
Storage
- Keep MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE out of the sight and reach of children.
- Store MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE in a refrigerator (at 2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze.
FAQs About MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE
Q: What is MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE used for?
A: MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE is used to offer protection against meningitis and septicaemia which is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis specifically against types A, C, W and Y.
Q: How MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE works?
A: MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE contains Meningococcal Group A, C, W135 and Y Conjugate Vaccine which works by helping your body build protection against the bacteria that cause meningitis, a serious infection of the brain and spinal cord and septicemia (blood infection). The vaccine contains small, harmless parts of the bacteria, which do not cause illness but trigger your immune system to recognize and fight the bacteria if you’re exposed in the future. This way, if the real bacteria enter your body, your immune system is ready to destroy it, preventing the infection from developing.
Q: Who should get the Meningococcal Vaccine?
A: The vaccine is recommended for all infants, unvaccinated children and adults who wants to be protected from the infection.
Q: How is MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE administered?
A: MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE should be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into the muscles as intramuscular injection.
Q: Is MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE safe?
A: Yes, the meningococcal vaccine is safe and has been widely used for decades. Side effects are usually pain, tenderness, firmness, redness at injection site, mild fever and diarrhea, irritation, loss of appetite, tiredness, weakness, drowsiness, muscle pain, headache, dizziness, and problems in sleeping. Consult your doctor if they trouble you.
Q: Can MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE be given to pregnant women?
A: Pregnant women can receive Meningococcal Group A, C, W135 and Y Conjugate Vaccine if they were not immunised previously. However, consult your doctor before receiving MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
Q: What should I do if I miss a dose of MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE?
A: If you miss a dose, talk to your healthcare provider. You do not need to start the series over; just get the missed dose as soon as possible.
Q: Are there any side effects of MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE?
A: MENCEVAX ACWY VACCINE is generally well-tolerated. However, it may cause pain, tenderness, firmness, redness at injection site, mild fever and diarrhea, irritation, loss of appetite, tiredness, weakness, drowsiness, muscle pain, headache, dizziness, and problems in sleeping. Consult your doctor if they trouble you.
References
- KD. Tripathi. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. Miscellaneous Drugs. Vaccines, Antisera and Immuneglobulins. Page – 980.
- Meningococcal Vaccine. StatPearls. National Center for Biotechnology Information. National Library of Medicine. PME. PubMed Central. June 2023. [Accessed on 31st August 2024]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553102/
- Meningococcal group A, C, W and Y conjugate vaccine. Sanofi Pasteur. EMC. UK. [Revised in December 2023]. [Accessed on 31st August 2024]. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.12818.pdf
- Meningococcal ACWY VIS. Vaccines and Immunization. CDC.gov. [Revised in June 2021]. [Accessed on 31st August 2024]. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mening.html
Useful Diagnostic Tests
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
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