Meningococcal disease occurs worldwide. In Europe and North America, there is an accumulation in winter and spring. Disease can occur at any age. The peaks of the disease are found in infancy, childhood and adolescence.

Meningococci can be detected in the nasopharynx in about 5 to 10% of the population. For reasons still unknown, only a small proportion of these germ carriers develop symptoms of disease. Transmission is by droplet infection and close contact with the germ carrier is usually required. Meningococcal diseases usually present severe clinical pictures, with certain courses leading to death within hours.

Therefore, a doctor must be consulted already in case of early symptoms (fever, chills, headache) so that the start of treatment is not delayed.

Based on their structures, different meningococci (serogroups) can be distinguished, which are responsible for diseases with varying frequency in individual regions. Vaccines are only available against some of these serogroups. Both should be considered when recommending immunizations.

Several vaccines are available:

  • Conjugated vaccine against meningococcal serogroup C with long-lasting vaccine protection (also suitable for children under 2 years)
  • Conjugate vaccines and polysaccharide vaccines with vaccine protection for 3-5 years are available against meningococci serogroups A, C, W135, and Y.
  • Recombinant adsorbate vaccines against serogroup B.

Who should get vaccinated?

  • All children in the 2nd year of life against meningococcal serogroup C, follow-up vaccinations of older children and adolescents until 18 years of age recommended.
  • All children in the 2nd year of life against meningococcal serogroup C, follow-up vaccinations of older children and adolescents until 18 years of age recommended,
  • Health-compromised individuals with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency or suppression with residual T and/or B cellular function, (ACWY and B).
  • ehazardous laboratory personnel, (ACWY and B).
  • Travelers to countries with an increased incidence of meningitis and with expected close contact with the local population (here, vaccination against serogroup A,C,W-135 and Y, if necessary).
  • Before the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj, Umrah) (ACWY)
  • Pupils and students before long-term stays in countries with recommended general vaccination,

Groups of people at risk for clustered diseases.

Close contacts of patients with meningococcal disease should be treated with antibiotics as soon as possible to prevent the disease.

Common vaccine reactions:

In rare cases, redness, swelling and mild pain may occur at the injection site, as well as fatigue and mild fever.