From the Research
For a 5-year-old child who has not received the Men C vaccine, BC Disease Control recommends administering a single dose of the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine (Men-C-C) as soon as possible to catch up on the missed vaccination. This vaccine protects against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C, which can cause serious infections including meningitis and septicemia. The standard schedule in BC includes Men-C-C at 2 months and 12 months of age, but for children who missed these doses, a single catch-up dose is sufficient for those aged 1-19 years 1. The vaccine is given as an intramuscular injection, typically in the deltoid muscle for a child this age. Some key points to consider when administering the vaccine include:
- The vaccine provides robust protection against MenC IMD, with a single dose at 12-23 months of age providing protection for several years 1
- A single booster at the age of 7 years or older seems to prolong protection for several years 1
- The percentage of participants with protective rSBA titers was high after primary immunisation but waned over the following 6 years 1 After receiving this catch-up dose, the child will not need another Men-C-C vaccine, though they should receive the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine (Men-C-ACYW-135) in grade 9 as part of the routine immunization schedule. This vaccination is particularly important as meningococcal disease can progress rapidly and has significant mortality and morbidity rates, with survivors often experiencing serious long-term complications. It is essential to prioritize vaccination to prevent meningococcal disease, given its potential for severe outcomes, as highlighted in various studies 2, 3, 4, 5.