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Meningococcal group C Disease
Page content: Meningococcal group C disease | How is meningococcal disease spread? | Meningococcal group C vaccines | Who is eligible for free vaccine? | Others who should be immunised? | Possible side effects of meningococcal group C vaccine | Comparison of effects of the vaccine and the disease | Pre-immunisation checklist | Download factsheet | In your language
Meningococcal group C disease
The National Immunisation Program provides free meningococcal group C vaccine to children at 12 months of age.
Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria called meningococci. There are different groups of meningococci however it is mainly group B that now causes disease in Victoria. Meningococci are common bacteria found at the back of the throat or nose mostly in children and young adults, and less often in adults. The bacteria are usually 'carried' harmlessly but occasionally they can cause meningococcal disease in another person.
Meningococcal disease usually occurs in one of two forms–meningitis or septicaemia. 'Meningitis' means an inflammation of the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord. 'Septicaemia' means blood poisoning and is widespread throughout the body. Meningococcal disease is a rare but very serious illness. The infection can develop very quickly and can be fatal in about one in 10 cases; others may be affected for life.
Symptoms may include:
- fever
- pale or blotchy complexion
- vomiting
- lethargy
- rash of red purple spots or bruises
Signs and symptoms appear quickly and people may become seriously unwell within a few hours.
How is meningococcal disease spread?
The disease is difficult to spread. The germs cannot live for more than a few seconds outside a human body, therefore they cannot be picked up from water supplies, swimming pools, buildings or factories. Only regular close prolonged household and intimate contact spreads the bacteria. Close contacts in residential accommodation, university campuses and military barracks, may be at greater risk of meningoccocal disease.
People who get meningoccocal disease are more likely to be in close contact with smokers.
Meningococcal group C vaccines
The vaccine used in the National Immunisation Program gives long lasting protection against meningococcal group C disease. There is another type of meningococcal vaccine available that covers several groups including C, however it cannot be given to children under two years of age and only protects for one to five years. This vaccine is considered a 'travel' vaccine for travellers to Africa and for pilgrims attending the annual Hajj (Saudi Arabian authorities require a valid certificate of vaccination as a condition to enter the country).
Who is eligible for free vaccine?
- Children turning 12 months will receive this vaccine with their other routine immunisations due at that age.
Others who should be immunised?
- Transplant recipients or people with a damaged (or no) spleen
- Young adults who have not previously been vaccinated, especially if between the ages of 15 and 24 years.
Important information
The meningococcal group C vaccine only protects from one of the groups of meningococcal disease. There is no vaccine currently available for meningococcal group B disease in Australia. If your child has an illness where you are concerned about meningococcal disease, please see a doctor as soon as possible.Pre-immunisation checklist
Before you or your child are immunised, tell the doctor or nurse if any of the following apply:- Have had Mencevax® or Menomune® vaccine within the last six months
- Are unwell on the day of immunisation temperature over 38.5 oC
- Have had a severe reaction to any vaccine
- Are pregnant.
Possible side effects of meningococcal group C vaccine
Common side effects
Reactions to meningococcal group C vaccine are much less frequent than the complications of the disease.- some swelling, redness and soreness at the injection site
- low grade fever
- crying, irritability
- a temporary small lump at the injection site
- decreased appetite
- in adults/adolescents, headache
If mild reactions do occur they may last one or two days. The side effects can be reduced by:
- Placing a cold wet cloth on the sore injection site
- drinking extra fluids and not overdressing if the person has a fever
- Taking paracetamol to lower fever (note the recommended dose for the age of your child)
Extremely rare side effects:
- Severe allergic reaction
If reactions are severe or persistent, or if you are worried, contact your doctor or hospital.
Download factsheet
In your language
This information is also available in the following languages: Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Karen, Khmer/Cambodian, Macedonian, Serbian, Sinhalese, Somali, Turkish, Vietnamese.
