At what age can children be vaccinated against meningitis, doctor? (Tan Long, 31 years old, Binh Duong)
Meningitis is caused by many agents. Among them, the group of agents that can be prevented by vaccines are Hib bacteria, pneumococcus and meningococcus, from which there are many different types of injections.
We don’t know how old your grandchild is or what his vaccination history is, so here is some general information about meningitis vaccines for your family’s reference:
Hib meningitis vaccine, combined in 5-in-1 and 6-in-1 injections. This type is indicated for children from 2 months old, can be vaccinated as early as 6 weeks of age, or at the latest as 2 years old.
Single Hib vaccine, indicated for children from 2 months to 15 years old.
Pneumococcal vaccine helps prevent diseases caused by this bacteria, such as pneumonia, meningitis, septicemia, otitis media, and sinusitis. This type is given to children from 2 months old and adults, and can be given as early as 6 weeks of age.
Meningococcal vaccine also helps prevent meningitis and prevents 5 high-risk bacterial strains that cause the disease, including A, B, C, Y, and W-135. Among them, group B meningococcal vaccine (Italy) is given to children from 2 months old and adults up to 50 years old. Vaccine against group B and C bacteria (Cuba) is given to children from 6 months and adults up to 45 years old. Types of vaccine groups A, C, Y, W135 (USA) are vaccinated for children from 9 months old and adults up to 55 years old.
Children should be vaccinated as soon as they are old enough to effectively prevent meningitis. Image: Unsplash
The agents Hib, pneumococcus, and meningococcus are all transmitted through the respiratory tract. Besides vaccination, it is necessary to apply other disease prevention measures such as exercising, eating a healthy diet, wearing a mask, keeping distance when going to crowded places, regularly washing hands with soap, not arbitrarily taking medication without an accurate diagnosis.
Meningitis often leaves severe neurological and motor function sequelae such as deafness, blindness, paralysis, amputation, and intellectual impairment. In particular, meningococcal meningitis can cause death in just 24 hours with initial symptoms that are easily confused with the common cold such as fever, headache, fatigue…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has affirmed that the best vaccination is the earliest vaccination. Children need to be vaccinated when they reach age. Injecting in the right injection route and with the correct regimen is a way to effectively help children become immune to diseases that can be prevented by vaccines.
In addition to infants, adolescents, adults, the elderly, and people with underlying medical conditions, they also need to review their vaccination records and supplement missing meningitis shots to avoid getting sick or becoming carriers of the disease. spread disease to the community.