The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition 2013

Appendix 1 Contact details for Australian, state and territory government health
authorities and communicable disease control).
If a diagnosis of meningococcal disease is suspected, the patient should be
immediately given parenteral (usually IM) penicillin and transferred to hospital.
A potential outbreak of meningococcal disease in an institutional or community
setting is a public health emergency needing a rapid response from clinicians
and public health practitioners. The decision to control an outbreak with a
vaccination program should be made by the appropriate Public Health Unit,
following the Guidelines for the early clinical and public health management of
meningococcal disease in Australia. 2
4.10.12 Variations from product information
The product information for meningococcal C conjugate vaccines states that,
under the age of 12 months, either 2 (NeisVac-C) or 3 (Meningitec and Menjugate
Syringe) doses of vaccine are required. The ATAGI recommends instead that
meningococcal C vaccination is routinely not recommended before 12 months of
age (unless specifically indicated).
The product information for Meningitec states that an allergic reaction following
a previous dose is a contraindication to further doses. The ATAGI recommends
instead that the only contraindication is a history of anaphylaxis to a previous
dose or to any of the vaccine components.
The product information for NeisVac-C states that the vaccine should not be
administered with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine or
PRP-OMP Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine unless ‘medically important’.
The ATAGI recommends instead that the vaccine may be administered
simultaneously with other vaccines in the NIP. There have been publications
citing the co-administration of MenCCV with other combination vaccines and it
was found to be immunogenic and safe. 57,58
The product information for Menactra states that a previous episode of Guillain-
Barré syndrome is a contraindication to vaccination with Menactra. The ATAGI
recommends instead that either of the available 4vMenCVs can be administered.
The product information for Menactra states that this vaccine is indicated for use
in persons aged 2–55 years. The ATAGI recommends instead that Menactra can
be given to persons aged ≥9 months of age.
The product information for Menveo states that this vaccine is indicated for use
in persons ≥11 years of age. The ATAGI recommends instead that Menveo can be
given to persons aged ≥9 months of age.
The product information for all meningococcal vaccines (MenCCV, 4vMenCV
and 4vMenPV) states that there are no data on the use of these vaccines in
lactating women. The ATAGI recommends that breastfeeding women can be
vaccinated.
PART 4 VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES 293
4.10 MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE