NeisVac-C (Meningococcal Group C Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine (Tetanus Toxoid Protein Conjugate))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is NeisVac-C Used For?
NeisVac-C is a vaccine that helps protect against serious infections caused by specific bacteria. It’s designed to prevent potentially life-threatening diseases in people from 8 weeks of age.
Primary Uses
NeisVac-C prevents invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis group C bacteria. These bacteria can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections such as meningitis (brain infection) and septicaemia (blood poisoning). The vaccine only protects against group C meningococci and will not protect against other groups of meningococci or other organisms that cause meningitis and blood poisoning.
How It Works
When you receive NeisVac-C, your immune system (your body’s natural defense system) produces its own protection called antibodies against the disease. Your body usually takes several weeks after vaccination to develop protection against invasive meningococcal disease. Most people will produce enough antibodies to protect them, though 100% protection cannot be guaranteed with any vaccine.
Good to know: NeisVac-C will not give you or your child meningococcal disease. The chance of a severe reaction is very small, but the risks from not being vaccinated may be very serious.
How to Take NeisVac-C
NeisVac-C is given as an injection into a muscle by a healthcare professional. The injection site depends on age – typically the thigh for infants and the arm for older children and adults.
Dosage Instructions
For infants under 12 months: Two separate doses, with the first dose given not earlier than 8 weeks of age and at least two months between doses. After completing the infant course, children should receive a single booster dose in their second year of life. For children 12 months and older, adolescents, and adults: A single dose is recommended. The vaccine must not be injected under the skin or into a blood vessel.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you or your child miss a recommended dose or stop the vaccination course, this may result in incomplete protection. Your doctor or nurse will inform you about the vaccination schedule to follow and advise when to reschedule missed doses.
Important: NeisVac-C must not be mixed with other vaccines in the same syringe, though it may be given at the same time as other vaccines using separate syringes at different injection sites.
Available Tablet Strengths
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:
- Pain, redness, or swelling at injection site
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle aches or weakness
- Headache
- Fever
- Irritability or crying (in children)
- Poor sleep
- Itchy skin or rash
- Cold and flu-like symptoms
- Dizziness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) with swelling of lips, mouth, throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Breathing problems in premature infants
- Loss of muscle tone or floppiness in infants
- Neck and/or joint stiffness
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Severe blisters and bleeding in lips, eyes, mouth, nose, and genitals
- Red or purple bruise-like spots that don’t fade under pressure
- Seizure or convulsion with very high temperature
- Sensitivity to bright light (photophobia)
- Recurrence of nephrotic syndrome in children (kidney condition causing facial swelling and frothy urine)
Important Warnings
Before receiving NeisVac-C, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current health status with your healthcare provider to ensure the vaccine is safe for you.
Who Should Not Take NeisVac-C
Do not receive NeisVac-C if you are allergic to any ingredients including tetanus toxoid, or if you have had an allergic reaction to NeisVac-C previously. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching, or hives. Vaccination should not be given to infants under 8 weeks of age. Do not use if the vaccine has passed its expiry date or if packaging is damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have blood clotting disorders or are taking anti-coagulation medicine (risk of bleeding at injection site), any condition affecting the immune system such as HIV infection, or if undergoing treatment that can alter immune system effectiveness such as cancer therapy. Vaccination should be delayed if you have moderate or severe fever or current medical concerns.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The vaccine should not be used during pregnancy unless there is a defined risk of meningococcal C disease. If vaccination is needed during pregnancy or breastfeeding, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you. Tell your doctor if your baby was born prematurely, as there is a higher risk of breathing problems (apnoea) for 2-3 days after vaccination.
Premature Infants: Premature babies have a higher risk of temporarily stopping breathing for 2-3 days after vaccination. Your doctor may decide if monitoring is required during this time.
Drug Interactions
NeisVac-C can be given with other vaccines, but certain precautions must be followed to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Important: Immunisation with NeisVac-C is not a substitute for routine tetanus immunisation. Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, or supplements you are taking.
- Other vaccines (must use separate syringes and different injection sites)
- Polio vaccine
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine
- Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccines
- Hepatitis B vaccines (certain types for infants)
Alcohol & Driving
The source material does not provide specific information about alcohol consumption or driving restrictions related to NeisVac-C vaccination.
Storage
If you need to store NeisVac-C: Keep it refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C and do not freeze. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. NeisVac-C can be stored at room temperature up to 25°C for up to 9 months before the expiry date. When stored at room temperature, record the date it was removed from refrigeration and do not return it to the refrigerator. Keep out of reach of children and do not use after the expiry date.
Overdose Information
An overdose is highly unlikely since NeisVac-C is given as a single-dose injection by a healthcare professional. If doses are given closer together than recommended or more doses than required are given, side effects are more likely to occur. If you think you have received too much NeisVac-C, seek urgent medical attention by calling the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contacting your doctor, or going to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you have no symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your body usually takes several weeks after vaccination to develop protection against invasive meningococcal disease. Most people will produce enough antibodies to protect them during this time.
Yes, NeisVac-C may be given at the same time as other vaccines as long as they are given at different places on your body using separate syringes. It must not be mixed with other vaccines in the same syringe.
NeisVac-C can be given to infants from 8 weeks of age. However, premature babies may have a higher risk of breathing problems for 2-3 days after vaccination and may require monitoring.
No, NeisVac-C will not give you or your child meningococcal disease. It helps your immune system produce protection against the disease without causing the infection itself.
If you or your child miss a recommended dose, this may result in incomplete protection. Contact your doctor or nurse who will advise you about rescheduling and completing the vaccination course.
No, NeisVac-C only protects against invasive disease caused by meningococci group C bacteria. It will not protect against other groups of meningococci or other organisms that cause meningitis and blood poisoning.
The vaccine should not be used during pregnancy unless there is a defined risk of meningococcal C disease. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits with you if vaccination is being considered during pregnancy.
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.