I had a vaccination in 2018 for Meningococcus A, C, W, Y. I will return to Central Africa this year, do I need to get a booster shot again?
Meningitis caused by meningococcal C and strains A, W-135, Y
Dear Reader,
Neisseria meningitidis or meningococcus is a bacterium also present in Italy, in the serotypes B and C. In Africa, in the Sahel, the region between the Sahara and the forests, there is the so-called ‘meningitis belt’, where the serotypes A, C, W135, Y. A quadrivalent vaccine is recommended for travelers to these areas. This pathogen is very contagious and transmitted through the respiratory route, so vaccination is important to protect yourself and other people. It is possible to have a meningococcal booster 5 years after the previous vaccination, but it depends on some factors: age, any drug therapies, clinical history, duration of the trip. Meningococcal meningitis, in fact, is a pathology that is more frequent in childhood and up to the age of 50. Furthermore, for complete consultancy, it is necessary to know exactly the African country of destination. For this reason it is essential to consult a travel medicine expert in order to correctly evaluate the specific situation and advise you in the best way.
* Federico Gobbi is Director of the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases of the IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria and associate professor at the University of Brescia.
The information reported is intended for informational purposes only: it does not represent medical advice in any way and cannot replace diagnoses or treatment indications recommended by your doctor or a specialist.
#Traveling #Africa #booster #shot #meningitis
– 2024-05-13 17:28:19
