home

Vaccine may protect adolescents against meningitis strain

19 January 2012

Actions

Rate this page

Share

Show all

A meningitis vaccine has been shown to protect adolescents against a certain strain of the disease, according to a study published in the journal The Lancet.

There are already meningitis vaccines available, but these only protect against some of the strains of the disease. This particular vaccine is being researched to see if it can protect against strain B – the most serious cause of meningitis in Europe and other parts of the world.

Scientists found that two doses of the vaccine, called 4CMenB, given one to six months apart protected more than nine out of ten adolescents from the B strain. The vaccine was also well tolerated among the adolescents and no serious side-effects were reported.

Dr Prerna Sharma, Senior Physician, Bupa Health and Wellbeing UK, commented: “This is a very promising piece of research, as meningitis affects many babies, children and adults across the world, and most cases are caused by the B strain.

“Further research is needed though, especially as this study only used adolescents from Chile. There are several types of the B strain, so it’s hard to say whether the vaccine would be as effective in different regions around world where different types of the B strain may exist. Studies are currently in progress in other parts of the world, five being in European countries, to test how effective the vaccine is. More studies also need to be done in other age groups, especially infants, as babies and toddlers are at a higher risk of meningitis than any other age group.

“It’s a good idea to know the signs and symptoms of meningitis, as the sooner it’s diagnosed, the sooner you or your child can receive treatment. Symptoms include a severe headache, vomiting, high fever, stiff neck and sensitivity to light. A lot of people, but not all, also develop a rash on their skin. These symptoms aren’t always caused by meningitis, but if you or your child has them, seek urgent medical advice.”

The study involved 1,631 adolescents aged 11 to 17. Initially, all the adolescents received three injections of the vaccine at one month intervals. They were then randomly put into several groups to receive one, two or three doses of the vaccine at one, two or six months. The adolescents were also asked to record any symptoms they had and how they felt for seven days after each vaccine, for example, if they had any swelling in the area where they were given the vaccine or if they stayed home from school. One month after each injection, the scientists did blood tests to see if the adolescents had become immune to the B strain of meningitis.

Produced by Alice Rossiter, Bupa Health Information Team.

Key facts

  • Meningitis is an infection of the meninges – the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. There are many different bacteria and viruses that can cause meningitis.
  • Babies and young children are most likely to get meningitis, but the reasons why aren't fully understood. It's thought that it could be because their immune systems are less developed. Teenagers and young adults are also more at risk of catching a type of meningitis called meningococcal disease.
  • Meningitis sometimes causes blood poisoning called septicaemia, which can be serious. Meningitis and septicaemia can occur separately, but they are often found together.
  • It can be very difficult to recognise meningitis because at first the symptoms can be like those of other illnesses such as flu.

How can we help you?

Health insurance for you and your family

Find out about our health insurance or call us on 0800 600 500 quoting code D323.

Get checked out before you travel

You can't put a value on your health - view our range of Bupa Health Assessments or call 0845 600 3458 quoting ref. HFS100.

Read the study

Santolaya ME, O’Ryan ML, Valenzuela MT, et al. Immunogenicity and tolerability of a multicomponent meningococcal serogroup B (4CMenB) vaccine in healthy adolescents in Chile: a phase 2b/3 randomised, observer-blind, placebo-controlled study. The Lancet 2012; online 18 January. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61713-3

Read more Bupa health news

Bupa By You

Bupa By You