Pediatria pre prax 3/2005

MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINES

Meningococcal vaccines provide specific immunity against the antigens (polysaccharide or proteine) included. A decrease of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis C was observed in the Czech Republic in 2004/2005 and mass vaccination by conjugated MenC vaccine is not recommended in this epidemiological situation. NRL recommends vaccination by conjugated MenC vaccine of children before the age of 14 years. Conjugated vaccine is more suitable than polysaccharide vaccine because of building long-lasting persistence of protective level of immunity. The polysaccharide tetravaccine A+C+Y+W135, which is recommended for the vaccination of travellers and for achieving of the most broad immunity, is imported to the Czech Republic since 2005.

Keywords: meningococcal vaccine, invasive meningococcal disease, vaccination.