Nimenrix Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Nimenrix is a vaccine containing parts of the outer coat of Neisseria meningitidis groups A, C, W-135, and Y, used to protect adults, adolescents and children from 6 weeks of age against invasive meningococcal disease caused by these four groups. It is given as an intramuscular injection by a doctor or nurse and can be used for both primary and booster vaccination. Common side effects include injection site reactions, fever, and irritability, while serious allergic reactions require immediate medical attention.

What is Nimenrix Injection

Nimenrix is a vaccine used to protect adults, adolescents and children from the age of 6 weeks against invasive meningococcal disease caused by four groups of the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (group A, C, W-135, and Y). The vaccine contains substances from the outer coat of the bacterium N. meningitidis.

Nimenrix Injection uses

• Active immunisation of individuals from the age of 6 weeks against invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis groups A, C, W-135, and Y
• Recommended for travellers to countries where meningococcal A, C, W or Y disease outbreaks may happen
• Recommended for close contacts of people with meningococcal A, C, W or Y disease
• Recommended for people with medical conditions that make them more likely to get meningococcal disease
• Can be used as a booster vaccine in people already vaccinated with Nimenrix or another meningococcal vaccine

Benefits of Nimenrix Injection

• Helps protect against invasive meningococcal disease caused by meningococcal groups A, C, W-135, and Y
• Helps prevent meningococcal meningitis, a serious infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord
• Helps reduce the risk of meningococcal septicaemia (bloodstream infection)
• Can be used for primary vaccination and booster vaccination according to official recommendations
• In Europe, it is licensed for individuals from 6 weeks of age onward

How Nimenrix Injection works

The vaccine contains small parts of the outer coat of the meningococcal bacteria attached to a carrier protein. The immune system recognizes these parts as foreign and makes antibodies against them, so that if the person is later exposed to the real bacteria, the immune system is ready to fight it off.

Nimenrix Injection dosage

Nimenrix is given as an injection into muscle, usually in the thigh for babies, or in the thigh or arm muscle for children from 12 months of age and adults. This vaccine can only be given by a doctor or nurse. If you or your child have had a serious reaction to any vaccine, fainted with a previous vaccine, or had any vaccine in the last 4 weeks, tell your doctor before vaccination.

If a dose is missed, contact your doctor or nurse and arrange another visit as soon as possible. Keep a record of vaccinations and update it after each injection, and keep any follow-up visits with your doctor or clinic.

Available forms and strengths

• Powder and solvent for solution for injection
• Powder in a vial with solvent in a pre-filled syringe or ampoule

Side effects of Nimenrix Injection

Common

• Loss of appetite
• Irritability
• Drowsiness or feeling tired
• Headache
• Fever
• Swelling at injection site
• Pain at injection site
• Redness at injection site
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Bruising at the injection site
• Rash (in infants)

Serious

• Serious allergic reaction with swelling of limbs, face, eyes, inside of nose, mouth or throat
• Shortness of breath, breathing or swallowing difficulties
• Hives, itching (especially of the hands or feet), reddening of skin (especially around the ears), or severe skin reactions
• Unusual tiredness or weakness that is sudden and severe
• High temperature with fits or seizures
• Large swelling of the vaccinated limb associated with redness

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this vaccine if you or your child are allergic to it or any of its ingredients, or have a severe infection with a high temperature
• Talk to your doctor first if you or your child have had a serious reaction to any vaccine, fainted with a previous vaccine, have a bleeding disorder, or have a weakened immune system
• This vaccine should be given with caution to people with low platelets or a bleeding disorder, since bleeding may occur after the injection
• People with a weakened immune system may not develop full protection from the vaccine, and people with certain complement deficiencies remain at increased risk of meningococcal disease even after vaccination
• This vaccine only protects against meningococcal disease caused by groups A, C, W-135, and Y, and may not protect everyone who is vaccinated
• There is limited experience using this vaccine in pregnant women. It should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed, weighing possible benefits against potential risks to the baby. 
• It is not known whether this vaccine passes into breast milk, and it should only be used while breastfeeding when the possible benefits outweigh the potential risks.
• No specific kidney-related dose adjustment is listed. People with significant kidney disease or weakened immunity should discuss vaccination with their doctor. No specific liver-related dose adjustment is listed.
• Be careful when drinking alcohol until you know how this vaccine affects you. Be careful driving or using machines until you know how this vaccine affects you, since it can cause dizziness or lightheadedness in some people.

Storage

• Store refrigerated at 2–8°C (36–46°F)
• Keep in the original package to protect from light
• Do not freeze; discard if the vaccine has been frozen
• After reconstitution, use promptly, following the product instructions
• Do not use after the expiry date or if proper storage conditions were not maintained
• Keep securely stored and out of reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Call your doctor right away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the limbs, face, eyes, mouth or throat, shortness of breath, breathing or swallowing difficulties, hives, itching, severe skin reactions, or sudden severe tiredness or weakness
• Tell your doctor or nurse before vaccination if you or your child have previously become unwell after being given this vaccine

Alternatives

• NeisVac-C
• Menjugate
• Menactra
• Menveo
• MenQuadfi (MenACWY)