Vaccination against meningitis
There are two categories of meningococcal vaccines: polysaccharide vaccines with specific capsule serogroup antigens and polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines, which have serogroup antigens attached to the protein that helps enhance the immune system's response to the vaccine. Conjugate vaccines are preferred over polysaccharide vaccines because of their potential for herd protection and their enhanced ability to generate immunity, especially in children under two years of age (this is similar for pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, see section 10 of this module).
Meningococcal vaccines should be stored between +2 °C and +8 °C. Polysaccharide vaccines are generally given as a 0.5 ml subcutaneous dose. Conjugated vaccines are administered in a dose of 0.5 ml intramuscularly.
Meningococcal vaccines have excellent safety records. Serious side effects with polysaccharide vaccines include rare anaphylaxis (one in a million doses of vaccine administered) and rare neurological reactions, such as seizures. Mild effects include local injection site reactions in up to 56% and fever in less than 5% of them (most commonly in infants).
Conjugate vaccines have excellent safety profiles. No serious negative side effects have been associated with them. Mild side effects include local reactions at the injection site, fever and restlessness in children.
Both conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines are safe and effective when used in pregnant women.
Quadrivalent conjugate vaccines (A,C,W135,Y) should be administered as a single intramuscular dose to individuals over two years of age.
A,C,W135,Y-D is also licensed for children aged 9 to 23 months and is given as a two-dose series at three-month intervals starting at nine months of age.
Polysaccharide vaccines should be administered to individuals over two years of age as a single dose. In us A booster dose may be given to persons who travel to endemic countries and are considered to be at high risk of exposure three to five years after the primary dose.
Vaccination against yellow fever
Live attenuated (attenuated) virus vaccines are currently used to prevent EV. They are in freeze-dried (lyophilized) form and must be reconstituted with the solvent provided by the manufacturer before use: EV vaccine must be stored between +2 °C and +8 °C. It won`t damage if lifted accidentally. Opened multidose vials should be handled according to national multidose vial regulations.
Serious side effects include hypersensitivity (allergy) or anaphylaxis (0.8 per 100,000 vaccinations) which occur more often in people with allergies to eggs or gelatin. EV vaccine-related neurological disease (inflammation of various parts of the nervous system, including the brain) and viscerotropic disease (affecting internal organs) have been reported. Overall rates are low, but older patients (over 60 years) receiving primary doses of EV vaccine appear to be at higher risk.
Mild side effects, such as pain at the injection site, headache, muscle pain, low fever, itching, hives and other rashes are reported in up to 25% of vaccinees.
A single dose of EV vaccine is sufficient for lifelong protection. Unvaccinated travelers aged nine months and older going to high-risk areas should receive the EV vaccine unless contraindicated.
The EV vaccine is contraindicated in children under six months of age. It is contraindicated in anyone with an allergy to egg antigens and in HIV-infected persons with CD4 T-cell counts below 200 per mm3.
It is administered as a single dose of 0.5 ml subcutaneously in the upper arm.
Vaccination against typhoid fever
Vaccination against typhoid fever is done by vaccination and revaccination with the dead bacterial vaccine. The vaccine is dosed in 0.5ml in a syringe. It is given intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle.
Determining the epidemiological indications for mandatory vaccination against typhoid fever and the type of vaccine is the obligation of the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo.
Vaccination against COVID-19
Vaccination against COVID-19 is based on the current epidemiological situation according to updated recommendations from credible local and international organizations.
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