Meningitis injection, who should get it?

Vaccination is one of the main ways to prevent infections that cause inflammation of the lining of the brain or meningitis. Vaccines are able to increase immunity to ward off infection from organisms in the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord. There are several types of vaccines that can fight viral or bacterial infections that cause serious meningitis. Find out when and who is recommended for meningitis injections in this review.

Vaccines as an effective preventive for meningitis

Meningitis is caused by inflammation that occurs in the lining of the meninges. This membrane is a layer that protects the brain and spinal cord.

The main cause of meningitis is infection with microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria. Infection with other organisms such as fungi and parasites can also cause meningitis, but it is less common.

Meningitis is a disease that is difficult to detect early because the symptoms often appear suddenly. Despite the initial complaints, the symptoms of meningitis are usually similar to those of other diseases such as flu.

Even though the symptoms of viral meningitis are quite mild, meningitis caused by bacteria can have serious effects, complications and even death. Moreover, both the viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis can be transmitted from one person to another.

Vaccination for meningitis is an effective and safe way to prevent the dangers of meningitis. Vaccine injections can also prevent the spread of meningitis more widely. That is why it is important to get the meningitis vaccine, especially for those of you who are more susceptible to infection.

Who should get the meningitis injection?

People of all ages can get meningitis. However, some groups of people are at higher risk for infection with the bacteria that cause meningitis. They need protection against this meningitis through vaccination.

Reporting from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following are criteria for people who are recommended to inject meningitis:

• Pre-teens and adolescents 11-12 years old. Although meningitis caused by Meningococcal bacteria is rare, adolescents aged 16-23 years are the group most at risk of infection.
• People who will be traveling or living in countries where meningitis is endemic, such as Saudi Arabia and some countries in Africa. Therefore, the Indonesian government requires that prospective Umrah and Hajj participants receive the meningitis vaccine before leaving.
• Have damage to the spleen or don't have a spleen.
• Experiencing an immune system disorder due to certain diseases, such as HIV / AIDS or cancer.
• Have a rare immune system disorder (complement component deficiency).
• Are taking drugs complement inhibitor like Soliris or Ultorimis.
• Have had meningitis before.
• Work in a laboratory where he often conducts hands-on research into the bacteria that cause meningitis.

Types of vaccines to prevent meningitis

Meningitis can be caused by various types of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. The vaccines currently available do not directly prevent infection of every organism that causes inflammation of the lining of the brain.

Each vaccine has the ability to form antibodies to one specific bacteria. Each vaccine has a different dose of injection time. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine that can provide protection against fungal, parasitic, and viral infections that cause meningitis.

There are two types of meningitis vaccines included in the national basic immunization program for children under 2 years, namely:

• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). Also known as the pneumococcal vaccine which is useful for building immunization against pneumonia, blood infections and meningitis caused by bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae.
• HiB. Increases protection from bacterial infections Haemophilus influenzae type B infection can cause pneumonia, ear infections, and meningitis.

Meanwhile, for adolescents and adults, vaccinations are available to build antibodies against bacteria Neisseria meningitidis or Meningococcus, the cause of meningococcal meningitis. There are several types of vaccines for this disease:

• Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4).

Meningococcal polysaccharide is the first meningococcal meningitis vaccine that was made in 1978. This vaccine provides protection against 4 groups of Meningococcal bacteria (Men A, C, W, and Y).

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4)

The conjugated meningococcal vaccine is a newer type of meningococcal meningitis vaccine, marketed internationally under the name MenACWY-135 (Menactra® and Menveo®).

This vaccine also builds immunity against Men A, C, W, and Y. The effectiveness of this vaccine provides 90% protection in adolescents and adults.

This vaccination is required by the Saudi Arabian government as a meningitis injection for Hajj and Umrah.

• Serogroup B Meningococcal B

This vaccine is also known as the MenB vaccine. Unlike the two vaccines above, this vaccine is only injected to form antibodies against Meningococcal group B bacterial infection.

According to the Immunization Action Coalition, administering the first dose of MenACWY-135 vaccine for adolescents and adults is carried out at 11-12 years of age and then additional vaccinations (booster) at the age of 16-18 years.

Adolescents who have their first vaccination at the age of 13-15 years also need to get a dose booster at the age of 16. However, adolescents over 16 years of age and adults do not need to get additional vaccinations.

Who is not recommended for meningitis injections?

Here are some people who are not recommended to get the meningitis vaccine, including:

• Have a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction to the meningitis vaccine or to one of the other vaccine components.
• Are sick or have a weak immune system.
• Have had Guillain-Barre syndrome.
• Pregnant women can receive the meningitis vaccine, but it is only recommended for those with certain immune problems or those who are at high risk of developing meningitis.

To further ascertain how big the risks and benefits of meningitis injections are for your health, try to consult a doctor.

Understand the side effects after meningitis vaccination

In general, the meningitis vaccine is safe and does not cause serious side effects. According to Professor James Stuart in the Meningitis Research Foundation, this vaccine also cannot cause meningitis because it does not contain ingredients that can cause infection.

As with vaccinations in general, the side effects of injecting meningitis are mild, such as redness, swelling, pain at the injection point or headache. These side effects can subside immediately without the need for special treatment.

Serious side effects are rare. If they do occur, common symptoms include high fever, weakness and lethargy, and changes in behavior. In addition, severe allergic reactions can occur within minutes or hours after the vaccination is complete. Some of the signs of an allergic reaction include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Fast heartbeat or heart palpitations
• Dizzy
• Nausea and vomiting

Some people may develop symptoms not listed above. However, if you experience some of the signs above, you must immediately see a doctor in order to get the right treatment.

Other ways of preventing meningitis

Apart from vaccination, other prevention efforts also need to be done. The reason is that meningitis can also be caused by viruses, fungi, and parasites whose infection cannot be avoided through vaccination. Apply the following ways to prevent meningitis:

• Avoiding exposure to the organisms that cause meningitis.
• Avoid close contact with people with meningitis.
• Carrying out rabies vaccination to prevent transmission of disease-causing organisms from animals to humans.
• Clean the living environment regularly, especially from mosquito nests because mosquitoes can carry viruses that cause meningitis.
• Maintain cleanliness and health in the environment of poultry and pig farms which can be a source of the emergence of fungi, parasites, and bacteria that cause meningitis.
• Cook animal meat thoroughly to ensure that the food is not contaminated with the organisms that cause meningitis.

Meningitis can have serious and even life-threatening effects because the disease can come on suddenly. Through vaccinations and various other preventive measures, you can avoid dangerous risks from this disease.