My child is about to turn 2 months old and is still very young. Should he be vaccinated against meningococcus? (Thanh Liem, 32 years old, Soc Trang)
Hello, to answer the family’s question, we first need to explain meningococcal bacterial disease. This is the causative agent of two common diseases including meningitis and septicemia, both of which are severe and have a high risk of death. If cured, about 20% of patients will still suffer sequelae such as amputation, deafness, blindness, psychological disorders…
Meningococcal bacteria have many serogroups that cause disease, of which group B is common in Vietnam. According to many studies, children under 1 year old have the highest and most severe risk of meningococcal disease compared to other age groups, especially children under 5 months old because their immune systems are not yet fully developed. Meanwhile, communities with a high rate of asymptomatic carriers are a potential source of infection, and children are also at risk of contracting other pathogens at the same time because they are too young and not old enough to receive many vaccinations. vaccine.
Vietnam has recorded cases of group B meningococcus and suffered sequelae in children under 1 year old, for example, a boy over 4 months old in Tien Giang, admitted to Children’s Hospital 1 (HCMC) in 2016, had to have his hind limb amputated 8 months later. days of intensive treatment or a 5-month-old girl in Ho Chi Minh City was admitted to the Ho Chi Minh City Tropical Hospital but died after 8 hours.
Therefore, vaccinating children according to the correct regimen, according to the right indications and before the age at risk is a proactive way to prevent disease, avoid the disease burden caused by meningococcus, and help children grow and develop healthily.
For group B meningococcal bacteria, Vietnam has two types of vaccines, including a new generation group B vaccine (Bexsero) and a combination group B and C vaccine (Mengoc BC). In particular, group B and C vaccines are administered from 6 months to 45 years of age, and group B vaccines are administered early from 2 months to 50 years of age, providing 95% protection.
Large-scale research data in the UK, Italy, and Portugal shows that vaccination against group B meningococcus as early as two months of age helps significantly reduce the number of cases each year. The vaccine can be combined with other types of injection in one injection, for example, 6-in-1 shot, pneumococcus, hepatitis B, measles-mumps-rubella, chickenpox, meningococcus conjugate ACYW group… Does not cause immune overload for children.
The family’s baby is about to turn two months old, so he should get vaccinated to be protected soon. You can proactively consult with your vaccination doctor to have the optimal vaccination schedule that best suits your baby.