Prevention of meningococcal disease for children when the disease is in season

BS.CKI Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director VNVC vaccination system Meningococcal meningitis is a condition in which the meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis) invade the meninges (the tissue that covers the brain), causing severe infection. If not detected and treated early, the patient can die within 24 hours.

Specifically, from the 4th to 12th hour, the patient had non-specific symptoms such as sudden headache, fever, malaise, sore throat, etc., easily confused with other respiratory diseases. From the 12th to the 15th hour, the patient appeared hemorrhagic nodules, stiff neck, and photophobia. From the 15th to 24th hour, patients are delirious, convulsing, unconscious, this is a severe stage that can lead to rapid death.

Meningococcal disease is transmitted by inhalation, droplets, sharing cups with a carrier of the infection (pathogen). All healthy people of different ages are at risk for infection, but it is most common and dangerous in children 3 months to 5 years old and adolescents 10 to 20 years old. Places with large crowds such as kindergartens, schools, dormitories, etc. have the highest risk of infection.

Children under 5 years old should be actively vaccinated against meningococcal disease Minh Ngoc

On average, each year Vietnam has about 650 cases of bacterial meningitis, of which meningococcal bacteria account for about 14%. The disease often leaves severe sequelae such as mental retardation, deafness, paralysis, disability due to amputation with the rate of 10-20%.

To date, the world has detected 13 strains of meningococcal bacteria. In Vietnam, the dangerous strains of meningococcal bacteria include strains A, B, and C.

“From June to October” annual This is the period when meningococcal bacteria are most active. Parents should pay special attention to the age group at high risk of infection, which is children under 5 years old and adolescents from 10 years old–20 years old. Getting vaccinated is the most effective prevention you can give your children.” BS Chinh emphasized.

Parents are introduced to information about vaccines, origin, expiry date… before vaccinating their children. Minh Ngoc

Vietnam has 2 types of vaccines to prevent meningococcal diseases, including Mengoc BC (Cuba) vaccine against meningococcal disease Meningococcal serogroup B + C; and Menactra vaccine (USA) to prevent meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia… caused by meningococcal serogroups A, C, Y, W. You should actively vaccinate your child. 2 types of vaccines for children to be fully protected.

In addition, meningitis is caused by a number of other bacteria that can be prevented by vaccines such as pneumococcal meningitis vaccine. Prevenar 13 Synflorix; Hib meningitis vaccine includes Infanrix Hexa 6-in-1, Pentaxim 5-in-1 and Quimi-Hib.

VNVC is the leading system of safe and quality vaccination centers in Vietnam, currently has nearly 70 centers nationwide. With a system of specialized cold storage lines meeting international standards, a system of general cold storage and GSP standard cold storage at all vaccination centers. VNVC provides a full range of vaccines against meningococcal meningitis and vaccines against more than 50 other dangerous infectious diseases for both children and adults. VNVC continues to make efforts to expand many vaccination centers to remote areas, helping people receive safe, quality, and affordable vaccines.