SUS expands protection against meningitis for 1 year old babies from today

Babies receive three doses of meningococcal vaccine C: two doses at 3 and 6 months of age, and the reinforcement at 12 months. Only the reinforcement dose will be modified.

Children who have already received three doses from Meningo C do not need to receive the reinforcement dose with Acwy at the moment. But those were not vaccinated at 12 months can complete the scheme with the new vaccine, before turning 5.

In the technical note that communicates the change in vaccination strategy, the Ministry of Health reinforces “the effectiveness and impact of these immunobiologicals in Brazil, with a reduction in the incidence of meningococcal disease, in vaccinated and non -vaccinated people.”

However, it says the note, “the occurrence of bacterial meningitis is still a factor of concern, especially those caused by Neisseria Meningidis (Meningococco) and by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) “.

The change, according to the portfolio, continues to confront meningitis, according to the guidelines for facing the disease, proposed by Brazil within the WHO global script. SUS also offers vaccines against two other infectious agents that can cause meningitis, pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, membranes that line the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, but may also have non -infectious origin. Bacterial meningitis are more frequent in autumn and winter. Virals predominate in spring and summer.