Vaccine Choice Canada Meningococcus - Disease & Vaccine Information

Meningococcus

Meningococcal disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening illness. The illness can result in inflammation of the brain (meningitis) and a serious bloodstream infection. Invasive meningococcal disease can also present as arthritis and pneumonia. Meningococcal disease is not easily spread and requires one to be susceptible to the infection and to have regular close contact with a person who is colonizing the bacteria. Meningococcal rates are low in Canada and have steadily declined since the 1990’s. The risk of contracting meningococcus is higher in students living in dorms. Meningococcus is treatable and responds well to antibiotics when caught early.

The Vaccine

There are several strains of this bacterium. Type B is the strain that most commonly infects younger children. Manufacturers have not been able to make an effective vaccine against Type B.
The current vaccines targets Type A, C, Y and W-135.
The vaccine is recommended at 16 years.
The immunity provided by the vaccine wanes after five years.
The vaccine is isn’t recommended beyond age 21.
The vaccine is produced with the tetanus or diphtheria toxoid.

Considerations for the Vaccine Decision

Vaccine manufacturers are not required to demonstrate the prevention of infection or transmission as a condition of licensure.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a reported adverse event from the vaccine.
The CDC’s own data suggest that the risk of dying from the vaccine far exceeds the risk of dying from the disease.
The vaccine is not cost effective in that vaccination of all freshmen in the United States would result in the administration of 1.4 – 2.3 million doses of vaccine each year preventing 37 – 69 cases of disease and 2 – 4 deaths each year. The cost per case prevented would be $1.4-$2.9 million, at a cost per death prevented of $22 million to $48 million.

As of May 31, 2023, there have been more than 44,469 reports of vaccine reactions, hospitalizations, injuries and deaths following meningococcal vaccinations made to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System, including 257 related deaths, 4,748 hospitalizations, and 596 related disabilities. [26]

A US HHS study acknowledged that less than 1% of vaccine adverse events are reported. [27]
The safety of the meningococcus vaccine has not been proven against a true placebo.

For more information: https://www.nvic.org/disease-vaccine/meningitis

References

[26] https://www.nvic.org/disease-vaccine/meningitis/quick-facts

[27] Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System – https://digital.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/docs/publication/r18hs017045-lazarus-final-report-2011.pdf

Vaccine Product Monographs

Product: NeisVac-C (Pfizer)

Product Monograph: https://www.pfizer.ca/files/NEISVAC-C_PM_EN_253221_26Oct2021.pdf (22 pages)

Patient Information sheet: https://www.pfizer.ca/files/NEISVAC-C_PI_EN_253221_26Oct2021.pdf

Manufacturer website: https://www.pfizer.ca/en/our-products