Introduction
Vaccination against meningococcal meningitis usually means protection against meningococcus. Meningococci are bacteria with the scientific name Neisseria meningitidis. They occur worldwide and trigger a purulent meningitis (bacterial meningitis) or a blood poisoning (sepsis) in case of infection.
Children under the age of 5 and adolescents are most susceptible to infection. Children between 1 and 2 years of age and adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age are particularly frequently affected. Among the bacteria there are various subgroups (serogroups) to which the vaccine is adapted.
In Europe and especially in Germany, for example, meningococci of serogroup C occur particularly frequently, which is why protection against precisely these bacteria is particularly important. In addition to protection against meningococci, there are also vaccines against the pathogen Haemophilus influenzae type B and TBE (early summer meningoencephalitis), which can also cause meningitis. The vaccination prevents meningococcal infection in the majority of children and thus also all accompanying and consequential damage that can be caused by the disease.
Particularly if therapy is delayed, this can otherwise lead to severe progressions, with the children suffering from developmental disorders or paralysis, for example. Meningococcal infection is a dangerous disease that can still lead to death despite good medical care in Germany. In order to reduce this risk, the vaccination of all children should be as complete as possible.
How often must the vaccination be administered and refreshed?
In Germany, a vaccine is used that contains parts of the bacterium’s outer shell and thus sensitizes the immune system to the pathogen. When administered, a so-called immunological memory is formed. This means that the immune system memorizes the components of the vaccine and thus also of the pathogen and can immediately form defense cells against the meningococci in case of repeated occurrence.
Due to this memory, only one vaccination dose is necessary to build up an effective protection against the infection. At the latest two weeks after administration, the vaccination protection is active and usually does not need to be refreshed afterwards. The exception is people with a weakened immune system or a spleen disease.
In these cases the vaccination should be checked regularly and renewed if necessary. In other parts of the world, other subgroups of the meningococcal type circulate. In high-risk patients, it is advisable to revaccinate with a vaccine that covers even more subgroups if they wish to travel abroad.
The vaccination against meningococcal meningitis can be given from the age of 12 months. Since 2006, vaccination against meningococcal meningitis in babies has been part of the vaccination recommendations of the STIKO (Standing Commission on Vaccination, responsible office). The vaccination is classically administered to babies from the age of 12 months.
The reason for the one-year waiting period is the children’s immune system. In order for a so-called immunological memory to be built up, the immune system must first develop. Memory is symbolically speaking and means that certain cells of the immune system remember structures of the bacteria which are contained in the vaccine in an inactivated form.
If the pathogen now enters the body again, defence cells can be produced directly and the infection does not or only slightly (e.g. in the form of a cold) break out. From the age of one year, the vaccination can be administered at any time, provided there is no intolerance. Since meningococcal infections with associated meningitis are most likely to affect babies and infants between one and two years of age, as well as adolescents, early vaccination protection is highly recommended.
In principle, it is possible to catch up on the meningococcal vaccination free of charge up to the age of 18 if it has not been given to date. From the age of 18 onwards, it is possible that the statutory health insurance company may demand a contribution to the costs, but the insurance companies often cover the total amount, especially for young adults. It is advisable to have the vaccination administered as part of the regular check-ups at the pediatrician in the first years of life so that it is not forgotten.
There are few differences in the vaccination of babies, toddlers or children. The protection is built up equally well at each age and the side effects of the vaccination are usually localized. Only extremely rarely do stronger side effects occur, see below “Side effects of the vaccination against meningitis”.A factor that is usually negligible, but can be included in the vaccination planning is the psychological effect of the vaccination on the child.
In baby or toddler age, most children hardly get the injection and do not resist very much. At such an early stage, there are usually no memories that might cause a phobia of doctors or injections later on. In childhood, the young patients’ perception becomes sharper and the vaccination as well as the visit to the doctor can be associated with pain. This attitude can cause great problems in the further health care of the still young person. Even though such events are rather rare, they can be prevented by an early vaccination.
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