meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, groups A and C

A bivalent **inactivated bacterial polysaccharide vaccine** containing purified capsular polysaccharides from *Neisseria meningitidis* serogroups **A** and **C**. It is designed to induce immunity specifically against invasive disease caused by these two meningococcal serogroups. The vaccine acts by stimulating a B-cell-mediated immune response that leads to the production of serogroup-specific antibodies, providing short-term protection. The A polysaccharide is immunogenic from approximately 3 months of age, but the C polysaccharide is poorly immunogenic in children under 2 years. This vaccine does not induce immunologic memory and antibody responses are relatively short-lived, particularly in younger children. It is mainly used for outbreak control and protection in at-risk populations, especially in regions such as the African meningitis belt. Unlike conjugate vaccines, this pure polysaccharide vaccine does not offer herd immunity or long-lasting protection and does not protect against other meningococcal serogroups (e.g., B, Y, W-135)[3].

Brand names

Meningo A+C

Other names

meningococcal A+C polysaccharide vaccinebivalent meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (A+C)Meningococcal vaccine A+C