Meningitis is a serious viral and bacterial infectious disease that causes inflammation of the Meninges in the Central Nervous System.

Its vaccination is mandatory for all local and international Hajj pilgrims from any country in the world. Some Meningitis vaccinations are pork-free while others use a pig enzyme.

There are vaccines that protect against some forms of meningitis and septicaemia, but although these vaccines provide excellent protection, they can’t prevent all strains of these diseases.

As yet there is no vaccine that can prevent all forms of meningitis and septicaemia.

MenB (Meningococcal B) vaccine.

Currently there are two meningitis vaccines that protects against four types of meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is routinely recommended for all 11 through 18 year olds. The first dose should be given at 11-12 years of age and a booster dose at 16 years of age.

The preferred vaccine for people ages 2-55 years is Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4). This vaccine is licensed as Menactra (sanofi pasteur) and Menveo (Novartis).

A meningococcal conjugate vaccine or “MCV” (Menactra by sanofi pasteur) was licensed in 2005. It also protects against the A, C, Y and W-135 subtypes.

MCV is expected to give better, longer-lasting protection than the polysaccharide vaccine. It is licensed for use in persons 11-55 years of age.

If you only had access to a pork-based Meningitis Vaccination would you take it?

This article is from Health & Science’s archive and was originally published at an earlier date.