What is the difference between the free and self-paid meningococcal vaccines

Self-paid vaccines mean that you have to pay for going to the hospital to get the vaccine, and you can choose whether to get the vaccine based on your physical condition. Free vaccines are free vaccines that you can get at the hospital. Generally, they are mandatory for people of certain age groups as stipulated by the state, and there is no selectivity. The difference between the two vaccines may be that the antibodies for the self-paid meningococcal vaccine are imported from abroad and are expensive, while the free meningococcal vaccine is developed by the National Medical College itself and is free of charge for Chinese people.

There are many large and small vaccines on the market that need to be given to babies. Parents can’t tell which ones are free and which ones are at their own expense. So is the meningococcal vaccine free?

Group A meningococcal vaccine and group AC meningococcal vaccine are vaccines included in the national immunization program and are free of charge for children of appropriate age. If you choose the ACYW135 group meningococcal vaccine, which is a Category II vaccine, it will be charged.

Group A meningococcal vaccine is mainly used for children aged 6 to 18 months; group A+C meningococcal vaccine is used for children over 2 years old and adults, and can be used for emergency vaccination for children under 2 years old in epidemic areas.

Meningococcal vaccination time

1. Group A meningococcal vaccine: Infants should receive the first and second doses at 6-18 months, with an interval of not less than 3 months between the two doses. The third dose should be given at 3 years of age, with an interval of not less than 1 year between the second dose and the fourth dose. Infants should receive the fourth dose at 6 years of age, with an interval of not less than 3 years between the third dose and the third dose.

2. Group A+C meningococcal vaccine: The target population is people aged 2 years and above. For those who have received one dose of group A meningococcal vaccine, the interval between the vaccinations of group A+C meningococcal vaccine and group A meningococcal vaccine must not be less than 3 months. For those who have received two or more doses of group A meningococcal vaccine, the interval between the vaccination of group A+C meningococcal vaccine and the last dose of group A meningococcal vaccine must not be less than 1 year. Vaccinate with group A+C meningococcal vaccine according to the above principles and avoid repeated vaccination within 3 years.

3. According to the latest expanded immunization program, 4 doses of meningococcal vaccine are required. The 1st and 2nd doses are group A meningococcal vaccine. Children are given the first dose between 6 and 18 months of age. The 1st and 2nd doses are basic immunizations, and the interval between the 2 doses is no less than 3 months. The 3rd and 4th doses are booster immunizations, using group A+C meningococcal vaccine. The 3rd dose is given at 3 years of age, with an interval of no less than 1 year from the 2nd dose. The 4th dose is given at 6 years of age, with an interval of no less than 3 years from the 3rd dose.

Contraindications

1. People with nervous system diseases such as epilepsy, convulsions, brain diseases, and a history of allergies;

2. Fever, acute illness;

3. The active stage of chronic diseases such as kidney disease, heart disease and active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Adverse Reactions

After vaccination with this vaccine, the reaction is mild, and there are generally no serious local and systemic reactions. After vaccination, some children will experience local redness and mild pain for 1-2 days; systemic reactions include low fever, with 1%-4% of recipients experiencing a fever exceeding 38.5°C; allergic reactions may occasionally occur. Most recipients experience symptoms 10-24 hours after vaccination and generally recover on their own within 1-2 days. Symptomatic treatment may be provided if necessary.