Alberta Health Services
Health Information
The MenC-ACYW vaccine protects against 4 types of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria that cause meningococcal disease. These are types A, C, Y, and W-135 meningococcal disease.
Grade 9 students can get the MenC-ACYW vaccine as part of the school immunization program. Students who missed getting the MenC-ACYW vaccine in Grade 9 can get it for free until the end of Grade 12.
If your child got the MenC-ACYW vaccine when they were age 12 years or older, they do not need another dose in Grade 9.
You should also get this vaccine if you are at risk for meningococcal disease because of:
Talk to a public health nurse to find out if you can get the MenC-ACYW vaccine for free.
You may also benefit from the vaccine if you travel to an area that has a high risk of meningococcal disease. If you are getting the vaccine because of travel, it is not free.
If you cannot get the vaccine for free, check with your health insurance provider to see if your plan covers the cost.
You may not be able to get this vaccine if:
If you have allergies or have had a side effect from this vaccine, check with your doctor or a public health nurse before you get the vaccine.
Although you can get the vaccine if you have a mild illness, such as a cold or fever, you should stay home until you are feeling better to prevent spreading your illness to others.
You only need 1 dose of MenC-ACYW unless you have a high risk for disease. If your risk is high, you may need extra doses.
Ask your healthcare provider how many doses you need.
MenconC protects against type C meningococcal disease. As part of the routine immunization schedule, children get this vaccine starting at age 4 months. If your child got MenconC vaccine as a baby, they still need MenC-ACYW vaccine in Grade 9. This will boost their protection against type C meningococcal disease and protect them from types A, Y, and W-135. Learn about Alberta’s routine immunization schedule.
Men-B is a vaccine that protects against type B meningococcal disease. You may need Men-B vaccine along with the MenC-ACYW if you have certain types of health problems (such as having your spleen removed, having a spleen that does not work well, or HIV).
Grade 9 students can get the vaccine in school. Parents and guardians will get an information package that includes a consent form. If you want your child to get the vaccine in school, you must complete and sign the consent form and return it according to the instructions provided. Learn more about school immunization.
If you need the vaccine because of your work (such as working in a lab), talk to your workplace health and safety department.
If you can get this vaccine for free, contact your local public health or community health centre.
If you want the vaccine and need to pay for it, contact a travel health clinic or talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
The protection for types A, C, Y, and W-135 meningococcal disease with the MenC-ACYW vaccine is around 80% to 85%. Protection may weaken over time.
Vaccine safety is a top priority. Canada uses extremely safe vaccines. Learn more about vaccine safety in Canada, including how vaccines are monitored for continued safety, and ingredients in vaccines.
There can be side effects from the MenC-ACYW vaccine, but they tend to be mild and go away in a few days. Side effects may include:
At least 1 out of 100 people who got this vaccine reported 1 or more of these side effects. In some cases, it is unknown if the vaccine caused these side effects.
It is important to stay for 15 minutes after your vaccine. Some people may have a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If anaphylaxis happens, you will get medicine to treat the symptoms.
It is rare to have a serious side effect after a vaccine. Call Health Link at 811 to report any serious or unusual side effects.
There can be mild, short-term side effects after getting a vaccine. Find tips to manage these side effects at home.
