Answer:

Five common meningococcal serogroups causing disease—A, B, C, Y, and W-135—have vaccines available in Vietnam. Each vaccine helps prevent one or several specific groups, not all five. All these groups can cause severe diseases like meningitis and sepsis, which progress rapidly and carry a high risk of death.

For instance, the new generation meningococcal vaccine Bexsero from Italy prevents group B and is administered from 2 months to 50 years of age. Menquadfi from My and Nimenrix from Bi prevent the four ACYW groups, administered from 6 weeks of age with no upper age limit for adults. The VA-Mengoc BC vaccine from Cuba prevents groups BC and is administered from 6 months to 45 years of age.

Receiving only one type of vaccine leaves the body vulnerable to disease from serogroups not covered, as it does not provide full protection against all pathogenic serogroups.

Children receive meningococcal vaccines at the VNVC Vaccination System. Photo: Moc Thao

Therefore, for comprehensive protection, you should ensure your child receives both types of vaccines. This approach helps the body build full immunity against dangerous serogroups, rather than providing only partial protection.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1,2 million meningococcal disease cases occur globally each year, with at least 135,000 deaths. In Vietnam, 95 meningococcal infections were recorded in 2025, resulting in at least 3 deaths. Initial symptoms of the disease are often unclear, leading to misdiagnosis. The mortality rate can reach 50% if left untreated. About 20% of survivors experience sequelae such as limb amputation, brain damage, deafness, seizures, and memory impairment. This rate is higher in young children, reaching approximately 50%.

Master. Doctor Ngo Thi Kim Phuong

(Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination System)

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