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​腦膜炎雙球菌結合疫苗 (四價疫苗 )
Meningococcal Group (ACWY) Conjugate Vaccine (ACWY Vaccine)

腦膜炎雙球菌是由腦膜炎雙球菌 (學名 : 腦膜炎奈瑟氏球菌) 所引起的疾病，高達 35% 健康人士屬帶菌者，病菌會留在喉部，可突破身體防禦，透過血液擴散感染。早期病徵並不明顯，當病菌入侵血液 (腦膜炎雙球菌血症)或包圍腦部及脊髓的內膜 (流行性腦膜炎)時，可引致嚴重病症及永久後遺症 (如智力受損、需要截肢、失聰等)，甚至死亡(通常於病徵出現 24 - 48 小時內致命)。腦膜炎雙球菌感染並不普遍，因此並沒有加入兒童疫苗計劃內。惟中國各地時有爆發，建議如家中幼童或同住親友需經常往返內地，可考慮接種疫苗以作預防。

無論男女老幼，都有機會感染腦膜炎雙球菌。嬰幼兒、青少年及前往高發病地區外遊人士，與腦膜炎雙球菌感染者有緊密接觸和患有免疫系統疾病(如愛滋病)的人士，更是高危一族。此外，曾受到其他病毒感染、居住於宿舍/院舍人士、患有慢性疾病(如脾臟功能性缺乏症/補體系統缺乏症)、吸煙和吸入二手煙的人士亦有機會感染。旅遊人士染上腦膜炎雙球菌感染的機會一般較低，但在旱季 (十二月至六月) 於非洲撒哈拉沙漠以南，馬里至埃塞俄比亞的熱帶草原區內，染病的機會較高；選擇自助旅遊或須與當地居民一同生活或工作的人士，也會
較易受感染。

臨牀病徵並不一致；當細菌入侵血液（腦膜炎雙球菌血症）或包圍腦部及脊髓的內膜（流行性腦膜炎）時，可引致嚴重病症。腦膜炎雙球菌血症的病徵包括突發性發燒、劇烈頭痛、皮膚出現瘀斑、休克，而嚴重者甚至會致命。流行性腦膜炎的病徵包括發高燒、劇烈頭痛、頸部僵硬及嗜睡，亦會有嘔吐、畏光或皮疹等情況出現，若情況嚴重更可造成腦部損害或死亡。腦部損害可導致智力受影響、智力發展遲緩、失聰及電解質失衡。侵入性腦膜炎雙球菌感染更可引致關節炎、心肌炎、眼內炎或肺炎。

Meningococcal infection is caused by the meningococcal disease of which early symptoms are notobvious. When bacteria invade the bloodstream (Meningococcaemia) or surround the brain and spinal
cord lining (meningococcal meningitis), it can cause serious illness (brain damage, hearing loss or disability) and even cause death (often within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms).

Meningococcal infection is not widespread, and therefore it is not included in children vaccines program. However, when there are outbreaks of diseases across China, it is recommended that if your children or relatives need frequent travel to the Mainland, they can consider this vaccine for protection.
Infants, preteens, teens, and young adults have the highest rates of meningococcal disease. The risk of infection is higher among close contacts of patients with meningococcal infections. Certain patients with defective immune systems (such as AIDS) are also at higher risk. Other risk factors include
antecedent viral infection, hostel/ nursing home residents, chronic illness (such as asplenia / complement deficiency), and active and passive smoking. In general, the risk of acquiring meningococcal infection while travelling is low. However, in sub-Saharan Africa extending from Mali to Ethiopia, particularly in the savanna during the dry season (December to June), disease occurrence is higher, and there is additional risk for visitors who travel "rough" such as backpackers, and those who need to live or work with local people.
The clinical picture may be variable. It may result in severe illness when the bacteria invade the bloodstream (meningococcaemia) or the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis). Meningococcaemia is characterised by sudden onset of fever, intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases. Meningococcal meningitis is characterised
by high fever, severe headache, stiff neck followed by drowsiness, vomiting, fear of bright light, or rash; it can cause brain damage or even death. The brain damage may lead to intellectual impairment, mental retardation, hearing loss and electrolyte imbalance. For invasive meningococcal infection, it can
be complicated by inflammation of joints, inflammation of heart muscle, inflammation of the posterior chamber of the eye or chest infection.