Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
10:03

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

Published on: November 5, 2019

Safety of a new conjugate meningococcal C vaccine in infants

R Lakshman1, I Jones, D Walker

  • 1Sheffield Institute for Vaccine Studies, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield S10 2TH, UK. R.Lakshman@sheffield.ac.uk

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|October 23, 2001
PubMed

Insights

The Chiron Group C meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Men C) showed a low incidence of adverse events in infants. Most adverse events were mild and not vaccine-related, with no serious events definitively linked to the vaccine.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric immunology
  • Vaccine safety research
  • Public health

Background:

  • Group C meningococcal conjugate vaccines (Men C) were integrated into the UK's routine infant immunization schedule in November 1999.
  • Significant professional and public attention has focused on the efficacy and safety profiles of Men C vaccines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the incidence of uncommon adverse events in infants following administration of the Chiron Men C vaccine.
  • To evaluate the safety of the Chiron Men C vaccine in a large infant cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 2796 infants aged approximately 2 months, vaccinated at 2, 3, and 4 months with the Chiron Men C vaccine alongside routine immunizations.
  • Active and prospective data collection on adverse events for one month post-vaccination, with thorough review for potential vaccine association.
  • Study conducted in Sheffield and Scotland.

Main Results:

  • No deaths were reported. No serious adverse events were definitively or probably linked to the vaccine.
  • Four infants experienced serious adverse events (hypotonia, screaming syndrome, maculopapular rash, agitation) possibly related to the vaccine; all recovered fully.
  • Of 1804 reported adverse events, only 49 (1.8%) were considered possibly vaccine-related. No recurrences of possibly related adverse events were observed upon subsequent immunizations.

Conclusions:

  • The Chiron Men C vaccine demonstrated a favorable safety profile in infants.
  • The incidence of serious adverse events possibly related to the vaccine was low, with complete recovery observed.
  • The study supports the safety of Men C vaccination in infants as part of routine immunization schedules.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Homogeneous Glycoconjugate Produced by Combined Unnatural Amino Acid Incorporation and Click-Chemistry for Vaccine Purposes13:53

Homogeneous Glycoconjugate Produced by Combined Unnatural Amino Acid Incorporation and Click-Chemistry for Vaccine Purposes

Published on: December 19, 2020

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...