Meningococcal bacteria spread via respiratory droplets and can cause meningitis, a severe systemic infection or even sepsis leading to rapid death. Meningococcal diseases are particularly found in Sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia. There are also occasional small local epidemics in Europe. There are many types of meningococcal bacteria, with A, B, C, W and Y being the most significant. Vaccines are available against the ABCWY serogroups. In the National Vaccination Programme the meningococcus vaccination is administered to conscripts and persons who have an increased risk of a serious meningococcal disease due to a basic illness or their medication.
- Lääkeinfo.fi: Bexsero (in Finnish)
- For adults and children over 2 months of age, only provides protection against type B meningococcus
- Lääkeinfo.fi: Nimenrix (in Finnish)
- For adults and children over 6 weeks of age, provides protection against A , C , W-135 ja Y type meningococcus
- Lääkeinfo.fi: Menveo (in Finnish)
- For adults and children over 2 years of age, provides protection against A , C , W-135 ja Y type meningococcus
- Lääkeinfo.fi: Trumenba (in Finnish)
- For adults and children aged 10 years, only provides protection against type B meningococcus.
- THL, Vaccines: Meningococcal vaccines
- THL, Traveller’s Health Guide: Meningococcal diseases (in Finnish)
