What is the conjugate vaccine?
The meningococcal C conjugate vaccine uses the same technology that was applied to the development of the Hib conjugate vaccine. The constituents of the vaccines have been used for a number of years. The polysaccharide and carrier proteins have been used separately in other vaccines safely in millions of doses. The technique called conjugation involves attaching a carrier protein to the polysaccharide antigen formed from the coat of the bacteria. The carrier proteins used in the new MenC vaccines are a non-toxic derivative of diphtheria toxin (CRM 197 ) or tetanus toxoid. In this way the new MenC overcomes the limitations of the old polysacchardevaccine, which provided only short-term protection in young children.
Related Questions
- What are the guidelines for revaccination with meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) if a child has previously received meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV)?
- Has the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine had an impact on invasive pneumococcal disease in Western Australia?
- Who should get the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)?
