ACWY Vax
Main Use Active Ingredient Manufacturer
Prevention of meningitis A,C,W and Y Meningococcal polysaccharide
vaccine (groups A,C,W and Y). GlaxoSmithKline
How does it work?
This vaccine contains extracts of meningococcal bacteria types A, C, W
and Y, and is known as a quadrivalent vaccine. It stimulates the body's
immune response, without causing the disease.
When the body is exposed to foreign organisms, the immune system
produces antibodies. These antibodies are specific to the infecting agent
and their first function is to help the body recognise and kill the foreign
organisms. The antibodies formed remain in the body and recognise and attack
any future infection with the same organism. This is known as immunity.
Protection against many infections can be provided artificially by
means of vaccines derived from altered forms of infecting organisms. These
vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies in the same way
as genuine infection, without actually causing the disease. As the organisms
stimulate the production of a specific type of antibody, a different vaccine
must be used for each disease.
This meningococcal vaccine provides immunity against meningitis caused
by group A, C, W and Y strains of meningococcal bacteria.
This vaccine is not given routinely. It is only given to people who
are at high risk of contracting meningitis caused by these strains, such as
people living in or travelling to high risk areas, for example parts of
Africa. Visitors arriving in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages
will require proof of vaccination with this quadrivalent meningitis vaccine.
The vaccine can also be given to close contacts of meningitis victims,
and to groups of people in the area of a local outbreak, in order to prevent
the spread of infection. The vaccine can be given to people who have
previously been vaccinated with the single meningitis C vaccine, in order to
provide protection against disease caused by the A,W and Y strains of
meningococcal bacteria.
One dose provides protection against infection in 90% of older
children and adults in two to three weeks. Immunity lasts for five years in
adults and children over five years, after which a booster dose may be
required. Children under five should be considered for a booster two to
three years after vaccination, if they are still at high risk of contracting
the disease.
What is it used for?
a.. Vaccination against meningitis caused by groups A, C, W and Y
meningococci
Warning!
a.. Individuals who have a suppressed immune system, for example due
to disease such as HIV infection, or treatment with immunosuppressant
medicines such as chemotherapy or corticosteroids, may not produce an
adequate immune response to this vaccine and additional doses may be
required.
b.. This vaccine is not suitable for preventing group C meningitis
in children under two years of age, as it does not produce a protective
immune response in this age group. It does produce protection against groups
A,W and Y meningitis in children under two, but this is likely to be
short-lived and unreliable.
Not to be used in
a.. Babies under 2 months of age
b.. Feverish conditions
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of
its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this
medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or
breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or
breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the
unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a
pregnancy, before using any medicine.
a.. The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not
been established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless
considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
b.. There is no information available regarding the safety of this
medicine during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people
in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known
to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here,
it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or
any side effect.
a.. Headache
b.. Fatigue
c.. Fever (pyrexia)
d.. An extreme allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
e.. Sleepiness (somnolence)
f.. Pain, swelling, redness and hardening of the skin at the
injection site
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects
reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with
this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or
consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
There are no reported interactions with this vaccine.
Other medicines containing the same active ingredients
Meningitis A,C,W,Y vaccine
Last updated 8.7.2004
