Quick facts on MENINGOCOCCAL-A VACCINE ; Part 1

A new vaccince has been added to the routine immunization schedule in Lagos State namely, Meningococcal A Vaccine.

Meningococcal vaccine is a vaccine that prevents against meningococcal disease.

What is Menningococcal Disease?

This is a devastating disease that causes serious fatalities in Nigeria.

It is the inflammation of the covering of the brain called Meninges.

It is caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses.

There are 12 serotypes of this disease of which six are identified namely; A, B, C, W, X, Y.

Signs and symptoms

1) Fever

2) Sudden onset of headache

3)Nausea

4) Vomiting

5) Irritability

6) Neck stiffness

7) Convulsion

8) Loss of consciousness.

Complications

1)Deafness

2) Paralysis

3) Seizures

4) Mental retardation

5) Arthritis

6) Death

Risk Factors to Meningococcal Disease

Bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseira meningitidis (Nm), Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophillus influenza and Group B streptococcus are of global public health concern.
Meningococcal Meningitis caused by Nm is the most frequent and leading cause of bacterial meningitis or cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) and sepsis.

Nm Serotype A accounts for almost 90% of pathogen causing meningitis in Africa.

Risk factors include;

1) Dry season that comes with weakening of the nasopharyngeal mucosa as a result dust winds, cold nights and increase in upper respiratory tract infections.

2) Living in overcrowded houses and poor sanitary conditions e.g. schools, prison, barracks etc.

3)Population displacement and movement or convergence; Markets, IDP camps. This facilitates quick circulation of virulent strains.

Mode of Transmission

Nm doesn’t have animal reservoir, it only affects humans. It is transmitted from humans to humans through:

1) Respiratory droplets, throat secretions or direct contact with infected people.

2) It can spread rapidly in overcrowded and poor sanitary conditions.

Diagnosis

1) History taking by a clinician or health provider.

2) Clinical examination (fever, neck stiffness, Kernig’s sign ‘pain on extension of the knee on a flexed hip’)

3) Confirmatory lab test made by culture of the organism on the cerebrospinal fluid obtained from lumbar puncture.

Treatment

1) All suspected cases should be reported immediately to the nearest health facility for proper evaluation and management.

2) Antibiotic of choice is ceftriaxone and alternate choice is ciprofloxacin.

Prevention
1) Vaccination with Men A vaccine. This prevents against Menningococcal Disease caused by Serotype A organism. Other serotypes vaccine will be available in Nigeria soon.

2) Good personal hygiene

3) Avoid over crowding

4) Exclusive breast feeding

Administration

Men A Vaccine is given in a single dose of 0.5ml intramuscularly, usually at the left upper thigh of a child at 9-15months of age.

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