Other brands:
Meningococcal C only conjugate vaccine:
Meningococcal A, C, W, Y conjugate vaccines:
Meningococcal group B only recombinant vaccine
Vaccine type: subunit conjugate
Schedule and administration
NeisVac-C® is funded for children aged under 2 years with a medical condition that increases their risk of meningococcal disease AND is listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. The vaccine is available for purchase for children and adults with a medical condition that is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
Special groups
NeisVac-C is recommended and funded for children aged under 2 years:
- One dose for a close contacts of meningococcal disease case
- Two doses for individuals post-haematopoietic stem cell transplantation; or following immunosuppression due to steroid or other immunosuppressive therapy longer than 28 days
- Up to three doses plus booster doses (as appropriate) for individuals pre- or post-splenectomy; pre- or post-solid organ transplantation; with functional asplenia; complement deficiency (acquired or inherited); or who are HIV-positive
Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended but not funded for individuals:
- Who are laboratory workers regularly handling meningococcal cultures
- Who are adolescents and young adults living in communal accommodation (e.g. in a hostel or at boarding school, in military accommodation, in correctional facilities or in other long-term institutions)
Catch-up doses
Not relevant
Storage and preparation
Store as per cold chain between 2°C to 8°C.
NeisVac-C is presented as a semi-opaque white to off-white suspension in single dose syringe. Upon storage a white deposit and clear supernatant can be observed. The vaccine should be shaken thoroughly before us. After shaking, the vaccine should be a homogeneous semi-opaque white to off-white suspension.
Administration
NeisVac-C can be administered at the same visit as other vaccines including all vaccines on the national immunisation schedule.
NeisVac-C is for intramuscular use only, preferably in the vastus lateralis in infants and the deltoid region in older children, adolescent and adults. The vaccine must not be administered subcutaneously or intravenously.
For:
Infants and children aged 8 weeks to 11 months:
- Two doses 8 weeks apart
- Booster at 12 months of age, at least 8 weeks after 2nd dose
Children aged 12 months to under 7 years:
- One dose
- If still at risk 2–3 years later – offer a booster dose
Children aged 7 years or over and adults:
- One dose
- If still at risk 5 years later – offer a booster dose
Vaccine safety
More than 20 years of studies and safety monitoring have shown that the conjugate meningococcal vaccines have excellent safely profiles.
NeisVac-C should not be given to:
- Anyone with severe allergy (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of a meningococcal vaccine or a component of the vaccine
- Administration of NeisVac-C should be postponed in individuals suffering from a fever over 38°C. The presence of a minor infection is not a reason to delay immunisation
Specialist advice should be sought for the following groups:
- Those with bleeding disorders, such as haemophilia. The vaccine should be administered in accordance with the haematologist’s instructions
Vaccine effectiveness
Protection against meningococcal disease is dependent on an individual having adequate existing circulating protection provided by antibodies because the bacteria cause disease more quickly than the immune system can generate new protection. Immunisation generates circulating antibodies. Over time the antibody levels decrease. The number and quality of antibodies and how long they last depend on what type of vaccine is used, the meningococcal group(s) covered by the vaccine, and the age of the person receiving the vaccine.
As there are generally low numbers of meningococcal disease cases in countries such as Australia, England, Germany, New Zealand and the United States it is not possible to determine exactly how many cases of disease are prevented by vaccination and how long protection after vaccination lasts. Instead, the immune system response and antibody levels are used as an alternative measure of how well and how long meningococcal vaccines can protect from disease.
Clinical studies have shown that 3–5 weeks after immunisation:
Infants:
- 12 months of age (after three doses of NeisVac-C at 2, 4 and 12 months of age): 100% had protective levels of circulating antibodies against group C
- 12–18 months of age: After a single dose of NeisVac-C 89–100% had protective levels of circulating antibodies against group C
Adolescents:
- 13–17 years of age: After a single dose of NeisVac-C 100% had protective levels of circulating antibodies against group C
Adults:
- After a single dose of NeisVac-C 100% had protective levels of circulating antibodies against group C
Good antibody persistence has been observed for adults however, a second dose in the second year of life is required to maintain protection in infants.
