MenQuadfi
This is a quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine
Ingredients:
Active ingredients:
Sugars from 4 serotypes of meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, and Y) are conjugated (attached) to tetanus toxoid (not toxin) in order to improve the immune response to the sugar.
Inactive ingredients:
Salts: help maintain the stability and pH of the vaccine
Other:
Relevant Terms
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Antibody: a protein made by the immune system in response to a foreign particle (antigen). These proteins circulate in the blood and help defend the body against the substance.
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Antigen: This is any substance that triggers the immune system to create antibodies. For example, allergens such as pollen are antigens.
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Bacterium: the singular of bacteria (one bacterium, two bacteria)
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Conjugate: An antigen is attached to a protein in order to improve the protection the vaccine provides.
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Electrolytes: chemical substances with a positive or negative charge that help to maintain the pH and fluid balance in the body so that the organs can function properly. Some common examples of electrolytes are sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and chloride (Cl-).
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pH: a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is. The scale ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic). A pH of 7 is neutral.
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Quadrivalent: protects against four different serotypes of the pathogen (in this case, Neisseria meningitidis)
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Serotype: a group of strains within a species that share a particular type of surface structure
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Toxoid: an inactive version of a toxin produced by a bacterium. The body is able to make antitoxin without being exposed to the actual toxin. Toxoids are not toxic.
Sources
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Package insert: https://www.fda.gov/media/137306/download
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General:
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Salt: https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/sodium-salt-and-you
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Sodium Acetate:​
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Formaldehyde: https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-ingredients/formaldehyde
Last updated: Feb. 23, 2023