The Menactra vaccine is a new generation drug. Little known, since it was created relatively recently (about 10 years ago) by the American company Sanofi Pasteur. The medicine has passed a number of tests and has significant differences from similar drugs. It has a number of bacteria that affect the formation of the body's immune parameters against the occurrence of meningitis and blood poisoning caused by meningococci.
Structure
The Menactra vaccine prevents a number of diseases, the appearance of which is affected by meningococci of certain serogroups. It is a slightly turbid, clear solution for intramuscular administration.
One dose, about 0.5 ml, includes active ingredients such as monovalent meningococcal conjugates, consisting of a combination of a polysaccharide of certain types of serogroups (A, C, Y, W-135) and a carrier protein. Each individual polysaccharide is conjugated to diphtheria toxoid, the injection dosage of which is 48 μg.
Additional substances in the composition of the drug are: sodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate and special water for injection.
The drug is packaged in glass vials containing a single dose of 0.5 ml. In a cardboard box there can be one or five bottles, as well as instructions for use.
The vaccine is stored at a temperature of 2-8 ° C. It must not be frozen. It should be stored in a cool place, inaccessible to children. If the medicine was frozen for some reason, then it is not subject to further use.
The shelf life of the drug is two years from the date of manufacture indicated on the package.
Menaktru is manufactured by the world-famous vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur Incorporated.
Menactra vaccine: description of the pharmacological action
As a rule, the bacterium N. meningitidis becomes the causative agent of meningococcal diseases (for example, meningitis). A number of serotypes of this group of bacteria have been identified. The use of Menactra vaccine provokes the production of characteristic antibodies directed against the causative agent of meningococcal infection. Four serogroups are included in the vaccine; these are A, C, Y and W-135. All of them are endowed with a special bactericidal activity.
Clinical trials aimed at obtaining the result from the production of Menactra have not been conducted, since the isolation of serum bactericidal antibodies (SBA) is the level of effectiveness of meningococcal vaccines.
Immunological qualities were considered in children from 2 to 10 years old and in persons aged 11-55 years. Immunogenicity was determined by the indicator of the functionality of antibodies, which was detected using bactericidal analysis of serum. In persons of the age group 2-10 years, the immune response was considered before a single formulation of the vaccine and after 28 days. An increase in the geometric mean titer (CHT) of bactericidal antibodies was detected. In all types of serogroups, in 86-100% of cases with an initial undetectable titer index, seroconversion was recorded, characterized as a fourfold or more increase in antibody titers after 28 days after vaccination.
The ability of Menactra to affect immunological memory after primary vaccination in children and adults has been recorded.
The test results in people aged 11-18 showed the same immune response to the one-time development of the vaccine. The indicators of GHG SBA on the 28th day after vaccination were much higher than the baseline. In 98-100% of cases in adolescents, when the initial level of antibodies was undetermined, on the 28th day a manifold increase in SBA titer to all types of serogroups in the vaccine was manifested. These facts indicate a high immunogenicity of the drug in individuals of a specified age.
In adults with undefined antibody titers in 93-100% of cases, a four-fold increase in the SBA titer to all other types of serogroups of the pathogen in the vaccine was revealed. In all trials, the immunological response was the same regardless of gender, age, and race.
There are no indicators on the kinetics of the initial response to vaccine formation, however, an immune response was recorded 7-10 days after vaccination.
The duration of the immune defense after the initial formation of the vaccine has been proved as a result of clinical trials and is equal to three years after a single injection of the drug.
Indications for use
The Menactra vaccine is designed to prevent meningococcal infection. The appearance of the latter is influenced by the bacterium N. Meningitidis with such types of serogroups as A, C, Y, and W-135, in people of different ages.
Contraindications to vaccination
"Menactra" (vaccine) should not be used in case of intolerance to active and additional substances in its composition. The ban is infectious and non-infectious diseases, as well as the period of exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Dosage and method of vaccination
The drug "Menactra" (vaccine), the instruction advises to be administered intramuscularly, preferably in the region of the deltoid brachial muscle. For children under one year of age, the medicine is injected into the muscle area of the thigh, since in this category of patients, the shoulder muscles are poorly developed. Vaccination is done once at a dosage of 0.5 ml.
Before the vaccine is established, certain safety measures must be followed that are aimed at preventing undesirable consequences. The state of health in a person is analyzed, the presence of contraindications is revealed.
Vaccination is done only by the healthcare provider and under his supervision. The treatment room for such vaccinations should be equipped with drugs for anti-shock treatment.
In some cases, fainting was observed after injection. The vaccination medical professional must be prepared for this state of affairs and promptly prevent the injury associated with the fall, as well as provide the necessary medical care.
There are many medical documents that determine how the Menactra vaccine should be used. The vaccination schedule looks like this:
- For children aged 9-23 months, the vaccine is given in two stages. After the first vaccination, they take a break for three months, and then take a second.
- For children from two years of age, adolescents and adults, the drug is administered intramuscularly and only once.
The drug provides reliable protection against meningococcal infection, which manifests itself after ten days from the date of vaccination. Revaccination in this case is not provided.
Interaction with other drugs
The medicine "Menactra" (live vaccine) can be administered in combination with a polysaccharide vaccine that prevents the occurrence of typhoid fever. Combined with an adsorbed tetanus and diphtheria vaccine. Joint use of the above vaccinations is allowed in the age category of 11-17 and 18-55 years.
You can not put both the Menactra vaccine and the BCG vaccine at the same time.
If two vaccinations are carried out simultaneously, then they must be done in different parts of the body. A separate syringe is used for each injection.
Pregnancy and lactation
As a result of lengthy clinical trials, it was revealed that the Menactra vaccine does not adversely affect pregnancy and the fetus. The description of the drug, despite this, recommends using it during this period if the potential benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the development of the fetus. For example, its use is permissible if diseases of the meningococcal infection are widespread, with an epidemic or a trip to an endemic area.
The ability of the active components of this vaccine to pass into breast milk of a nursing woman has not been studied. In early trials of such vaccines, polysaccharide antibodies were found in young mice that were still fed by their mother. This fact did not affect the development of offspring. Similar studies in humans have not been conducted.
Before vaccinating a woman during lactation, it is necessary to carefully weigh all the risks and evaluate the possible benefits of vaccination.
Menactra vaccine: side effects
After vaccination with this drug, many patients were disturbed by various negative reactions. Symptoms varied depending on age.
So, in persons from two to ten years, soreness, tightness, swelling and redness of the injection zone were noted. After vaccination, the children were irritated, drowsiness was observed. In some cases, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever occurred. Worried babies rash and urticaria. There were manifestations in the form of arthralgia.
Adolescents 11-18 years old and adults aged 18-55 years appeared soreness and tightness in the area of vaccination. Worried about headaches, diarrhea, vomiting. There was increased fatigue. Decreased appetite. A rash, arthralgia was noticed. Chills, general malaise, and fever were observed.
Various hypersensitivity reactions have occurred. Guillain-Barré syndrome, partial memory loss, convulsions, facial nerve paralysis, paresthesia, transverse myelitis, dizziness, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis , and myalgia were recorded.
The Menactra vaccine for meningococcal infection can cause a number of ailments, but they all pass in a mild form and disappear within a week after vaccination.
special instructions
The Menactra Meningitis Vaccine is recommended for people at increased risk of contracting a meningococcal infection. These are individuals who have had direct contact with patients infected with meningococci. This vaccine should be given to people with a deficiency of properdine, as well as complement components. The vaccine is vital for citizens with asplenia. It is also given to people traveling to hyperendemic areas, and to laboratory staff who regularly conduct various studies on the effects of the bacterium N. Meningitidis. Doctors advise students living in the dormitory and conscripts to give this vaccine.
The drug should not be injected into a vein, intra- or subcutaneously. There are no data on the possible consequences of such a drug installation.
It is forbidden to combine this vaccine in the same syringe with other drugs.
The effect of vaccination on patients with thrombocytopenia or people suffering from bleeding disorders has not been studied. There is a risk of bleeding with intramuscular injection. If vaccinated, such individuals should weigh the potential risks and benefits.
A similar picture is observed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. There have been cases of disease progression after vaccine administration. Therefore, before vaccination, persons suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome, it is necessary to carefully assess all possible risks.
The drug does not prevent meningitis provoked by other microorganisms and bacteria, as well as diseases caused by meningococcal infection of serogroup B.
People with weakened immune systems and people with immunosuppressive treatment often have a reduced immune response to the Menactra vaccine. A protective immune response may not be produced in all patients equally 100%.
Before the upcoming vaccination, the healthcare provider or attending physician should inform patients about the dangers or benefits of the vaccine given, as well as about possible side effects.
Vaccination Reviews
It is distinguished by high chemical purity, it determines persistent and long-lasting immune defense and multivalency of "Menactra" (vaccine). Reviews of this vaccine are mostly positive.
Many mothers give the vaccine to their children both at an early age and at a later date. They say that it is well tolerated and rarely causes negative reactions. In some babies, an increase in body temperature from 37.2 to 40 ° C was observed in the first days after vaccination. Concerned about excessive irritability, decreased appetite. Doctors in response to the worries of mothers about this said that this is the norm, and that is how the immune response to the vaccine should be formed. Fortunately, such phenomena were short-lived, and mothers soon ceased to worry about the condition of their child.
Doctors also advise giving Fenistil or other allergy medications before vaccination. Adults usually tolerate it well, without negative consequences.
Some people do not understand why to do such vaccinations without a doctor’s prescription. They note that it is unlikely to be useful to those who live in Russia, since most people with meningitis acquired this disease not because of meningococcal serogroups A, C, Y, W-135, but because of the ailments they had. It is claimed that the most severe form of meningitis is caused by meningococcal serogroup B, and there is currently no vaccine for it.
Despite the odds, many people are putting the Menacra vaccine on themselves and their children. The negative consequences from it develop extremely rarely, but it protects a person from meningococcal infections throughout life. This fact is confirmed by thousands of people saved around the world.