MenQuadfi Solution

MenQuadfi is a vaccine that can be given to children from 1 year of age, adolescents and adults. MenQuadfi helps to protect against infections caused by a type of types bacteria (germs) called “Neisseria meningitidis”, specifically against A, C, W and Y.

Neisseria meningitidis bacteria (also called meningococci) can be threatening infections, such as:

• Meningitis – an inflammation of the tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord;
• Septicaemia – an infection of the blood.

Both infections can result in serious disease with long lasting effects or possibly death. MenQuadfi should be used in accordance with official national guidelines.

How the vaccine works

MenQuadfi works by stimulating the vaccinated person natural defense (immune system), to produce protective antibodies against the bacteria. MenQuadfi only helps to protect against illnesses caused by Neisseria meningitidis types A, C, W and Y.

• It does not protect against infections caused by other types of Neisseria meningitidis.
• It does not protect against meningitis or septicaemia caused by other bacteria or viruses.

As with any vaccine, MenQuadfi may not fully protect all the people who are vaccinated.

Do not have MenQuadfi if you or your child

• are allergic to any of the active substances or any of the other ingredients of this vaccine (listed in section 6) or have experienced a previous allergic reaction to this vaccine.

If you are not sure, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before you or your child are given MenQuadfi.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before vaccination with MenQuadfi if you or your child have:

• an infection with high temperature (over 38 °C). If this applies, the vaccination will be given after the infection is under control. There is no need to delay vaccination for a minor infection such as a cold. However, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse first.
• a bleeding problem or bruise easily.
• ever fainted from an injection. Fainting, sometimes accompanied by falling, can occur (mostly in adolescents) after, or even before, any injection.
• a weak immune system (such as due to HIV infection, other disease, or use of a medicine that affect the immune system), as you or your child may not fully benefit from having MenQuadfi.

If any of the above apply to you or your child (or you are not sure whether they apply), talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before you or your child are given MenQuadfi.

As with any vaccine, MenQuadfi may not fully protect all of those who get the vaccine.

Other medicines and MenQuadfi

Tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you or your child are taking, have recently taken or might take any other vaccines or medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes all complementary or traditional medicines.

In particular, tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you or your child are taking any medicines that affect your immune system, such as:

• high-dose corticosteroids
• chemotherapy.

MenQuadfi may be given at the same time as other vaccines at separate injection site during the same visit. These include the vaccines that protect against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, pneumococcal and human papillomavirus infections.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse for advice before receiving MenQuadfi.

Driving and using machines

MenQuadfi is not likely to affect your ability to drive, cycle or use machines. However, do not drive, cycle or use any machines if you are not feeling well.

MenQuadfi contains sodium

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, this means that it is essentially ‘sodium-free’.

MenQuadfi is given by a doctor or nurse as a 0,5 mL injection in the muscle. It is given in the upper arm or in the thigh depending on the age and how much muscle you or your child have.

Like all vaccines, MenQuadfi can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you or your child get any of these symptoms after the vaccination;

• itchy skin rash
• shortness of breath
• swelling of the face or tongue.

Contact your doctor immediately. This could be signs of an allergic reaction.

Possible side effects in children aged 12 to 23 months:

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 children)

• tenderness, redness, or swelling where the injection was given
• feeling irritable
• crying
• loss of appetite
• feeling drowsy

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 children)

• fever
• vomiting
• diarrhoea

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• difficulty sleeping
• hives
• itching, bruising, firmness, or rash where the injection was given

Possible side effects in children (2 years of age and older), adolescents and adults:

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• pain where the injection was given
• muscle pain
• headache
• generally feeling unwell

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• redness or swelling where the injection was given
• fever

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• itching, warmth, bruising or rash where the injection was given
• vomiting
• feeling dizzy
• nausea
• fatigue (feeling tired)

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• enlarged lymph nodes
• diarrhoea, stomach pain
• hives, itching, rash
• pain in the arms or legs
• chills, pain in the armpit
• injection site firmness

Reporting of side effects

If you or your child get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

You can report any side effects directly to Sanofi’s Pharmacovigilance Unit at [email protected] (email) or 011 256 3700 (tel). You can also report side effects via the 6.04 Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Form, found online under SAHPRA’s publications: https://www.sahpra.org.za/Publications/Index/8. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

KEEP THIS VACCINE OUT OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN. Do not use this vaccine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. Store in a refrigerator (2 ° C to 8 ° C). Do not freeze. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Return all unused medicine to your pharmacist. These measures will help to protect the environment.