Meningococcal vaccine is an inactivated vaccine composedof capsular polysaccharide fragments of Neisseria meningitidis.There are four polysaccharide serotypes represented inthe vaccine: A, C, Y, and W-135. The type A polysaccharideconsists of a polymer of N-acetyl-O-mannosamine phosphate;the group C polysaccharide is mostly N-acetyl-Oacetylneuraminicacid. The antigens are conjugated to diphtheriatoxoid carrier. Indications are the following:
? Induction of active immunity against selected strains ofN. meningitidis
? Military recruits during basic training
? College freshmen and those living in dormitories
? Travelers to countries with epidemic meningococcal disease? Household or institutional contacts of those with meningococcaldisease
? Immunosuppressed persons (HIV, Streptococcus pneumoniae)
? To stop certain meningococcal group C outbreaks
? Persons aged 2 through 55 years of age at risk for invasivemeningococcal disease.
