Reconstitution of Meningococcal Vaccine

Available Product: MENCEVAX ACWY Meningococcal vaccine (Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Groups, A, C, Y and W-135 combined) (10doses)

Primary Immunization:

• For both adults and children, vaccine is administered subcutaneously as a single 0.5 ml dose. 
• The vaccine can be given at the same time as other immunizations, if needed.
• Protective antibody levels may be achieved within 10-14 days after vaccination.

Revaccination: 

• Revaccination may be indicated for individuals at high risk of infection, particularly children who were first immunized under 4 years of age; such children should be considered for revaccination after 2 or 3 years if they remain at high risk.

Reconstitution:

1. The diluent is sterile pyrogen-free distilled water
2. Draw the volume of diluent shown on the diluent label (6ml) into a suitable size syringe and inject into the vial containting the vaccine.
3. Shake vial until the vaccine is dissolved.
4. The vaccine when reconstituted is a clear colorless liquid. 
5. After reconstitution with diluent as indicated on the label, each 0.5 ml dose contains 50 mcg of "isolated product" from each of Groups A, C, Y and W-135
6. Administer the vaccine subcutaneously.
7. The immunizing dose is a single injection of 0.5 ml given subcutaneously.

Storage:

• Store freeze-dried vaccine and reconstituted vaccine, when not in use between 2° - 8°C (35° - 45°F).
• Discard remainder of multidose vials of vaccine within 5 days after reconstitution.

Adverse reaction:

• Adverse reactions to meningococcal vaccine are mild and infrequent, consisiting of localized erythema lasting 1-2 days. Others include fever, malaise or headache.
• Up to 2% of young children develop fever transiently after vaccination.
• As with the administration of any vaccine, one should expect possible hypersensitivity reactions.

References:

1. http://www.mydr.com.au/medicines/cmis/mencevax-acwy-powder-for-injection
2. http://www.vaccineinfo.net/immunization/vaccine/meningococcal/meningitis_vaccine_insert.shtml
3. Mencevax ACYW Product Leaflet
4. MyBlueBook