Menveo (Meningococcal (Groups A, C, W-135 And Y) Oligosaccharide Crm197 Conjugate Vaccine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Menveo Used For?
Menveo is a vaccine that protects against meningitis, a very serious infection of the spinal fluid and tissues surrounding the brain.
Primary Uses
Menveo is used for active immunization of children (from 2 months of age), adolescents and adults to prevent invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y. It protects against meningococcal meningitis, which is sometimes fatal and can cause permanent physical and neurological damage.
How It Works
Menveo works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against meningococcal bacteria. Your body usually takes a couple of weeks after vaccination to develop protection against Neisseria meningitidis. When a vaccinated person comes into contact with these bacteria, the body is usually able to destroy them.
Important to know: Menveo only protects against four groups of Neisseria meningitidis (A, C, W-135 and Y). It will not protect against other groups or different types of microbes that cause meningitis.
How to Take Menveo
Menveo is given as a single injection by your doctor or nurse. You do not take this medication yourself.
Dosage Instructions
The dose is 0.5 mL given as an injection into your upper arm or for children under 2 years of age into the thigh muscle. It should not be injected directly into a blood vessel. The vaccine is made up of two vials that are mixed together before injection.
Important: Your doctor or nurse might ask you to remain for observation following vaccination to monitor for any immediate reactions.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Redness, firmness and/or pain at the injection site
- Injection site itching
- Inflammation including swelling of the injected limb
- Enlarged lymph nodes near the injection site
- Tiredness
- Sore throat
- Rash
- Headaches
- Muscle aches, joint aches
- Fever, chills, general feeling of being unwell
- Nausea
- Impaired hearing, ear pain, spinning sensation
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reaction (swelling of limbs, face, eyes, nose, mouth or throat)
- Shortness of breath, breathing or swallowing difficulties
- Hives, itching (especially hands or feet), severe skin reactions
- Unusual tiredness or weakness that is sudden and severe
- Falls, head injury
- Bone pain
- Dizziness, balance disorder
- Fainting, seizures
- Facial nerve paralysis, upper eyelid fall
- Raised bumps of fluid on the skin
- Increased liver enzymes in blood test results
Important Warnings
There are certain situations where you should not receive Menveo or need special precautions.
Who Should Not Take Menveo
Do not receive Menveo if you are allergic to Menveo or any of its ingredients, have ever had an allergic reaction to diphtheria toxoid (used in other vaccines), have a very high fever, have had an allergic reaction after receiving another meningococcal vaccine, or have a severe infection with high temperature. A minor infection like a cold should not be a problem, but discuss this with your doctor.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have any medical conditions involving your immune system, have a low blood platelet count, receive treatment that blocks complement activation (such as eculizumab), take any medicines for other conditions, have an allergy to latex, or have had allergic reactions after any other vaccination including difficulty breathing, swelling of throat, fits, high fevers, or severe injection site reactions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of receiving Menveo during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Fainting Risk: Fainting can occur following, or even before, any needle injection. Tell the person giving you the injection if you or your child have ever fainted with a previous injection.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Menveo and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medications you are taking.
Multiple vaccines: Menveo may be given at the same time as other vaccinations, but other vaccines must be injected into a different arm or leg from the Menveo injection site.
- Other recent vaccines
- Tetanus, reduced diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine
- Human papillomavirus vaccine
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with activities that require alertness after receiving Menveo.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Menveo affects you.
Storage
Menveo will normally be stored at the doctor’s surgery or pharmacy. If you need to store Menveo, keep it in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C in the original pack. Do not freeze. Following reconstitution, Menveo should be used as soon as possible, but if storage is necessary, keep refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C for no more than 24 hours. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have been given too much Menveo, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your body usually takes a couple of weeks after vaccination to develop protection against Neisseria meningitidis.
No, Menveo only protects against meningitis caused by four groups of Neisseria meningitidis (A, C, W-135 and Y). It will not protect against other groups of Neisseria meningitidis or meningitis caused by different microbes.
Yes, Menveo may be given at the same time as other vaccinations, but other vaccines must be injected into a different arm or leg from the Menveo injection site.
Severe allergic reactions are rare but usually occur within the first few hours of vaccination. If you experience swelling, breathing difficulties, hives, or severe skin reactions, go to the Emergency Department of the nearest hospital immediately.
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of receiving Menveo during pregnancy.
A minor infection such as a cold should not be a problem, but talk to your doctor or nurse before being vaccinated. However, if you have a severe infection with high temperature, vaccination may need to be delayed.
Tell the person giving you the injection if you or your child have ever fainted with a previous injection. Also inform your doctor about any medical conditions, allergies, or medications you are taking.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.