meningococcal groups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine at a glance
Medicine class
Non-live meningococcal conjugate vaccine
Protection
Targets meningococcal groups A, C, W-135 and Y, not group B or other causes of meningitis
Administration
Given by intramuscular injection by a trained healthcare professional
Licensed age
Nimenrix is licensed from 6 weeks of age
What is meningococcal groups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine used for?
Nimenrix is licensed for active immunisation against invasive meningococcal disease caused by groups A, C, W-135 and Y.
Routine adolescent MenACWY vaccination and catch-up within current eligibility arrangements.
Protection for some people at increased risk because of a medical condition or treatment, travel, occupational exposure or close contact with a case.
Vaccination may still be appropriate after previous meningococcal disease because other capsular groups can cause future infection.
How does meningococcal groups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine work?
Capsular sugars from the four meningococcal groups are linked to a tetanus-toxoid carrier protein. This helps the immune system produce antibodies that can kill these bacteria through complement-mediated activity if exposure occurs later.
How to take meningococcal groups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine
A trained healthcare professional gives the vaccine into a muscle, usually in the upper arm or, where appropriate, the thigh. Nimenrix is supplied as powder and solvent and must be fully reconstituted before injection.
Food and drink do not affect an injected vaccine.
Tell the vaccinator about previous vaccine reactions, current fever, bleeding disorders, immune problems and immunosuppressive treatment.
If other injectable vaccines are given at the same visit, they should be administered at separate injection sites.
meningococcal groups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
- Fever or fatigue
- Headache or drowsiness
- Reduced appetite or irritability
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Rash or generally feeling unwell
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis, including breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, or collapse
- A febrile seizure
- Marked swelling extending beyond the injection area
meningococcal groups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine in pregnancy
Eligible pregnant people can receive non-live MenACWY vaccine after discussion of its benefits. Nimenrix product information notes limited pregnancy experience and advises use when clearly needed, so the prescriber should consider eligibility and exposure risk.
meningococcal groups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine while breastfeeding
Eligible breastfeeding people can receive MenACWY vaccine because it contains no live bacteria. Nimenrix product information says it is unknown whether vaccine components enter human milk and recommends weighing potential benefits against risks.
meningococcal groups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine interactions
Clinically important considerations mainly concern immune response and co-administration rather than conventional medicine interactions.
Immunosuppressive treatment
The immune response to vaccination may be reduced, although this non-live vaccine does not itself cause meningococcal infection.
Other injectable vaccines
Several vaccines can be given at the same visit, but separate injection sites must be used.
Tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccines
Follow product-specific co-administration guidance; Nimenrix contains a tetanus-toxoid carrier but does not replace tetanus immunisation.
Common questions about meningococcal groups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does this vaccine protect against every type of meningitis?
No. It targets four meningococcal groups and does not protect against group B or non-meningococcal causes, so symptoms of meningitis still require urgent assessment.
Can this vaccine cause meningococcal infection?
No. It contains no live meningococcal bacteria and cannot cause meningococcal disease.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.