 Meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria causes serious, life-  There a many different vaccines that can prevent threatening infections including: meningococcal disease.  Meningitis (an infection of the lining that  Meningococcal C vaccine is very effective against covers the brain). serotype C but it cannot protect you against other  Septicemia (an infection of the blood). meningococcal bacterial serotypes.  Complications include limb amputations,  Avoid direct contact with droplets from the nose or permanent hearing loss, permanent brain throat. damage, seizures and skin scarring.  Don’t share food, drinks, cigarettes, straws, dishes,  Even with antibiotic treatment, 10-15% of people musical instrument mouthpieces, lip care products, die. water bottles, mouth guards used for sports, baby  Most cases occur in children and adolescents. bottles, soothers or toys.  Practice good hygiene (e.g. handwashing).

 Symptoms of meningitis occur within 2 to 10 days after contact with the bacteria.  Children at 12 months of age.  It starts with sudden symptoms like fever, chills,  Household and close social contacts of a person tiredness, and irritability. with meningococcal C disease as identified by  A severe headache, stiff neck and/or a tiny Public Health. reddish-purple or bruise-like rash on the body  Individuals with functional or anatomic asplenia. occurs soon afterwards.  Transplant candidates or recipients (bone marrow,  It is important to see a doctor if you or your child solid organs), and stem cell recipients. has symptoms.  Individuals with other high-risk medical conditions  Within 24 hours of taking antibiotics, people are may be eligible to receive this vaccine; check with no longer infectious to others. your healthcare provider for more information.

 Through coughing and sneezing, close face-to-face A mild illness, with or without a fever, is not a reason contact, through saliva and by kissing. to avoid immunization.  Many people carry the Neisseria meningitidis  Persons who have a serious illness, with or without bacteria in their nose and throat but do not fever, should delay immunization. become sick.  People who have had a life-threatening reaction to

a previous dose of meningococcal vaccine, or severe allergies to any of the vaccine components.

Vaccines are very safe. It is much safer to get the MENJUGATE® contains Neisseria meningitidis group vaccine than to get meningococcal disease. C oligosaccharide (attached to Corynebacterium Common reactions to the vaccine may include: diphtheriae CRM197 protein), aluminum hydroxide,  Soreness, tenderness, redness and swelling at the sodium chloride, sodium dihydrogen phosphate injection site. monohydrate, disodium phosphate heptahydrate,  Fever, loss of appetite, sleepiness, irritability, mannitol and water for injection. The vaccine does headache, vomiting, diarrhea, headache or skin rash. not contain thimerosal. Both the diluent and the  These reactions lyophilized vaccine are presented in Type 1 glass are mild and vials, with bromobutyl rubber stoppers. generally last 1 to 2 days. Neis-Vac-C® contains Neisseria meningitidis group C  High fever, polysaccharide, tetanus toxoid, aluminum hydroxide, vomiting and sodium chloride. The vaccine does not contain seizures are thimerosal. The manufacturer cannot guarantee uncommon. that the rubber cap and the rubber plunger stopper on the pre-filled syringe are latex-free. It is important to stay in the clinic for Mature Minor Consent It is recommended that parents/guardians and their 15 minutes after children discuss consent for immunization. Efforts are getting any vaccine because there is an extremely rare first made to get parental/guardian consent for possibility of a life-threatening allergic reaction called immunizations. However, children at least 13 years of anaphylaxis. This may include hives, difficulty breathing, age up to and including 17 years of age, who are able or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips. If this happens to understand the benefits and possible reactions for after you leave the clinic, call 911 or the local emergency each vaccine and the risks of not getting immunized, number. This reaction can be treated, and occurs in less can legally consent to or refuse immunizations in than one in one million people who get the vaccine. Saskatchewan by providing mature minor informed consent to a healthcare provider.

 Report any adverse or unexpected reactions to your To ensure that a complete immunization record is local public health nurse, or your doctor, or nurse maintained, every immunization administered to an individual will be documented by Public Health into the practitioner as soon as possible. electronic provincial immunization registry, known as Panorama. Panorama is a secure electronic system used Talk to your public health nurse if: in Saskatchewan to record and manage immunization  You have questions or concerns about your or your records and the health information related to child’s reaction to an immunization. immunization for all Saskatchewan residents. Your immunization records may also be shared with health  You had to take your child to a doctor, hospital or care professionals in order to provide public health health center with an illness that might be related to services; assist with diagnosis and treatment; and to an immunization. control the spread of vaccine preventable diseases. More information about Panorama can be found in the fact For more information contact your local public health office, sheet “Protecting the Privacy of Your Immunization your physician, nurse practitioner Record”. OR HealthLine at 811. References: Canadian Immunization Guide, Evergreen Ed., (2012); product monographs (NeisVac-C®, 2010; MENJUGATE®, 2013).