[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Bacterial and antimalarial vaccines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/bacterial-and-antimalarial-vaccines/) › Meningococcal vaccine

[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Bacterial and antimalarial vaccines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/bacterial-and-antimalarial-vaccines/)

# Meningococcal vaccine

Conjugate vaccines against serogroups A, C, W and Y, and protein vaccines against B. They prevent meningococcal meningitis and sepsis.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Bacterial and antimalarial vaccines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/bacterial-and-antimalarial-vaccines/)
- Target: Immune response against Neisseria meningitidis
- ATC code: J07AH08
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

Also called: MenACWY conjugate vaccine, Meningococcal B vaccine (MenB), Pentavalent conjugate vaccine

## Mechanism of action

Conjugate vaccines link each serogroup's capsular polysaccharide to a carrier protein and give a T-dependent response with memory. The serogroup B capsule resembles human molecules, so its vaccines use surface proteins instead. Antibodies activate complement, which kills the bacterium; that is why complement deficiency raises risk so much.

- Vaccine supplies conjugated capsules (A, C, W, Y) or proteins (B)
- Bactericidal antibodies and memory form
- Antibodies activate complement, which lyses meningococci
- Less nasopharyngeal carriage and transmission

## Pharmacokinetics

**Onset and duration**
Protection is serogroup-specific and kept up with boosters in risk groups

## Indications

- Prevention of meningococcal meningitis in adolescents, travellers to endemic areas and during outbreaks [Bacterial meningitis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/bacterial-meningitis/)
- Prevention of invasive disease in asplenia, complement deficiency or complement-inhibitor treatment [Sepsis and septic shock →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/sepsis-and-septic-shock/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Local pain and redness
- Headache, fatigue, muscle pain and irritability

### Serious (rare, important)

- Anaphylaxis (very rare)

## Contraindications

- Previous anaphylaxis to a component or a dose
- For MenACWY conjugate: anaphylaxis to diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid or CRM197 vaccines when that is the carrier protein

## Key interactions

**Complement inhibitors (eculizumab, ravulizumab)**
They greatly raise the risk of meningococcal disease; vaccination is part of their safe use

## What is monitored

- Risk conditions: asplenia, complement deficiency, HIV, laboratory work with N. meningitidis
- Serogroups covered by the product given

## Administration and safety

- Intramuscular route
- MenB vaccines are not interchangeable: the series is completed with the same product
- Check the serogroups the product covers

## Nursing care

- Identify risk groups (asplenia, complement, travellers)
- Watch for local reaction and mild general symptoms
- Teach warning signs: fever with petechiae, neck stiffness

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Not part of routine vaccination in pregnancy.

## Memory aid

Meningococcus = "no complement, no defence": the vaccine supplies antibodies, but complement is what kills the bacterium.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Why does meningococcal B vaccine use proteins instead of the capsule?

The serogroup B capsule resembles the body's own molecules and is poorly immunogenic; surface proteins do induce bactericidal antibodies.

## Which treatment greatly increases the risk of meningococcal disease?

Complement inhibitors such as eculizumab or ravulizumab, because complement is key to killing meningococci.

## What do close contacts of a meningococcal case receive, besides vaccine in outbreaks?

Prophylactic antibiotics to clear the bacterium from the nasopharynx and reduce transmission.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/meningococcal-vaccine/)

## Related drugs

- [Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/haemophilus-influenzae-type-b-vaccine/)
- [Pneumococcal vaccine](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/pneumococcal-vaccine/)

## Related conditions

- [Bacterial meningitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/bacterial-meningitis/)
- [Sepsis and septic shock](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/sepsis-and-septic-shock/)

[← Back to the class: Bacterial and antimalarial vaccines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/bacterial-and-antimalarial-vaccines/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Chapter 14: Meningococcal Disease | Pink Book | CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/pinkbook/hcp/table-of-contents/chapter-14-meningococcal-disease.html) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021); [Meningitis](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/meningitis) (World Health Organization, 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=J07AH) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); [eEML - Electronic Essential Medicines List](https://list.essentialmeds.org/) (World Health Organization, 2025).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/meningococcal-vaccine/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/meningococcal-vaccine/