aged 15–19 have among the highest rates of reported invasive meningococcal disease in Canada.
Teens in Canada
After infants (<1 year) and toddlers (1–4 years), teens (15 to 19 years) have the highest rate of reported invasive meningococcal disease of any age group in Canada.
Rate per 100,000 of reported invasive meningococcal disease cases by age group between 2012 and 2019
Adapted from the Saboui et al. Can Commun Dis Rep. 2022
Teens in crowded places
Meningococcal meningitis has historically occurred in:
to areas where meningococcal meningitis is more common are at increased risk.
Travellers to sub-Saharan Africa
A quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine such as Nimenrix is recommended before travel to the region extending from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east (The Meningitis Belt).
Participants of Hajj or Umrah need a mandatory certificate of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis in order to obtain a Hajj or Umrah visa.
Travellers with medical conditions
You are at higher risk of invasive meningococcal disease if you have one of the following conditions:
Are you travelling soon?Expert recommendations for meningococcal immunization (NACI and CATMAT)*
TEENS
should receive a booster, as a follow-up to initial serogroup C vaccination, with either a serogroup C or quadrivalent conjugate vaccine (to help protect against serogroups A, C, W135, and Y) at around 12 years of age (depending on their province).
TRAVELLERS
(children and adults) who are at increased risk of meningococcal meningitis due to medical conditions should be vaccinated against A, C, W135, and Y, regardless of destination.
NACI recommends a periodic booster of a quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine such as Nimenrix every 3–5 years*† for people at high risk of invasive meningococcal disease or for those with ongoing risk of exposure.
Some countries require visitors to be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis before arriving.
Ask your doctor about requirements in the country of destination and whether a more frequent vaccination schedule is necessary.
Coverage with different vaccines
NACI: National Advisory Committee on Immunization
CATMAT: Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel
* Please see guidelines for complete information and recommendations.
† Depending on the age of the individual at the initial dose
What is invasive meningococcal disease?
It is a serious bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, which can lead to dangerous and sometimes fatal diseases including:
SYMPTOMS OF
MENINGITIS
INCLUDE:
SEPTICEMIA
INCLUDE:
CONSEQUENCES
INCLUDE:
Even when the disease is diagnosed and treated early, 5% to 10% of patients die, typically within 24-48 hours after the onset of symptoms.
There are several serogroups of the bacteria. A quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine such as Nimenrix can help protect against 4 of 5 serogroups that commonly cause invasive meningococcal disease: A, C, W135 and Y.
Meningococcal meningitis is passed from person to person through close, direct contact such as:
kissing
coughing & sneezing
It can also be spread through saliva when sharing items such as:
food & utensils
drinks
lip balm
cigarettes
Up to 10% of people may carry the bacteria that causes meningococcal meningitis.
What is Nimenrix?
Nimenrix is a vaccine that helps prevent illness caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W135 and Y bacteria (germs).
How does it work?
The vaccine works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against these bacterial serogroups. The vaccine cannot cause these diseases.
How is it given?
Your healthcare professional will give Nimenrix into the upper arm or thigh muscle (0.5 mL) as a single injection.*
Ask your doctor about the different vaccination requirements depending on your province of residence.
* Dosing regimen for individuals aged 12 months to 55 years of age
Ask your doctor about vaccination with Nimenrix
A vaccine, like any medicine, may cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of Nimenrix causing serious harm is extremely small. The small risks associated with Nimenrix are much less than the risk associated with getting the disease. In infants, adolescents and adults, the most common side effects (reported in more than 1 in 10 doses of the vaccine) after having Nimenrix include loss of appetite, irritability, drowsiness, headache, fever, swelling, pain and redness at the injection site and fatigue. Other common side effects (in more than 1 in 100 doses of the vaccine) after having Nimenrix are gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting and nausea, and injection site hematoma. Tell your healthcare professional as soon as possible if you or your child does not feel well after receiving Nimenrix. This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking Nimenrix, contact your healthcare professional.
Please consult the Product Monograph for important information relating to adverse reactions, drug interactions, and dosing information which have not been discussed in this piece. The Product Monograph is also available by calling 1-800-463-6001.
DIN: 02402904
Nimenrix is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA, licensed to Pfizer Inc.
© 2024 Pfizer Canada ULC., Kirkland, Quebec H9J 2M5
PP-NIM-CAN-0041-EN
