NeisVac-C is a vaccine that helps protect you or your child against meningococcal group C bacteria.
NEISVAC-C is listed under Health Canada DIN 02245057. The product record and monograph below describe this formulation; the dose schedule comes from the Canadian Immunization Guide.
At a glance
Brand
NEISVAC-C
DIN
02245057
Vaccine
Meningococcal group C polysaccharide conjugate
Presentation
0.5 mL · suspension · intramuscular · 2 months and older
Live vaccine
No
Age and suitability depend on the product, the person and the reason for vaccination. Use the planner for a starting point and confirm with a healthcare professional.
Official sources
Use the DIN to confirm this exact product in Health Canada's Drug Product Database.
A listed product may not be stocked or publicly funded.
Before and after your vaccination
Bring your immunization record if you have one, so earlier doses can be checked.
Tell the healthcare professional about a serious reaction to a previous vaccine or an ingredient, and mention any health conditions or medicines that could affect your vaccination.
After the dose, stay where you can be observed for at least 15 minutes. Tell someone right away if you feel faint or develop symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Keep a record of the vaccine name, date and dose you received.
The details below are adapted from a Pharmasist patient handout linked to the same product monograph. The current Canadian Immunization Guide determines the dose schedules shown later.
What this vaccine helps prevent
NeisVac-C is a vaccine that helps protect you or your child against meningococcal group C bacteria.
This bacteria can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening infections such as meningitis (infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord) and blood poisoning.
NeisVac-C only protects against group C meningococcal disease; it does not protect against other groups of meningococcal bacteria or other germs that cause meningitis.
The vaccine works by causing your body to make its own protection (antibodies) against these bacteria.
What to mention before a dose
Tell your healthcare professional about any allergic reaction you or your child have had to this vaccine or any other vaccine that protects against meningococcal group C, including reactions to tetanus toxoid.
Tell your healthcare professional if you or your child has a bleeding problem, such as hemophilia, or a condition that stops blood from clotting properly.
Tell your healthcare professional if you or your child has a weakened immune system, does not make antibodies well, has a complement deficiency, or takes medicines that lower immunity, such as anti-cancer drugs, radiation therapy, eculizumab, or high-dose steroids.
Tell your healthcare professional if you or your child has had the spleen removed or has a spleen that does not work properly.
Tell your healthcare professional if you or your child has an infection with a high temperature; vaccination may need to wait until you feel better.
How it is given
NeisVac-C is given as a shot into the muscle, usually the outer thigh for babies or the upper arm for older children, teens, and adults.
A nurse, doctor, or healthcare professional gives the injection and will shake the vaccine well before use; you do not give this vaccine yourself at home.
Babies may need one or two shots before their first birthday, plus a further shot at around one year of age; older children, teens, and adults usually need only one shot.
Important things to know
This vaccine must only be given as a shot into the muscle. It must never be given into a vein or just under the skin, so make sure it is given by a trained healthcare professional.
Severe allergic reactions are rare but can happen with any vaccine. Your healthcare professional will have treatment ready in case this happens.
This vaccine contains tetanus toxoid but does not reliably protect against tetanus; keep your regular tetanus vaccinations up to date separately.
Effects you may notice
Pain, redness, swelling, or a hard lump where the shot was given.
Headache.
Fever.
Sleepiness or trouble sleeping.
Muscle aches or pain in the arms or legs.
In babies: loss of appetite, being sick to the stomach, loose stools, crying, and fussiness.
When to contact a healthcare professional
Contact your healthcare professional if a side effect is bothersome, does not go away, or interferes with daily activities, including swollen glands, dizziness, or fainting.
When to get emergency help
Get emergency help right away for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the lips, mouth, or throat, a rash with swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles, or trouble breathing.
Get help right away for severe skin rashes, hives, or widespread itching.
Get help right away if you or your child has a seizure (fit).
Get help right away if your baby suddenly goes floppy or limp, or loses muscle tone.
Get help right away, or go to the nearest emergency department, if you or your child develops neck pain or stiffness, a dislike of bright light, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or red or purple spots or bruise-like marks that do not fade when pressed. These can be signs of a different problem that needs urgent checking, even though this vaccine cannot cause meningococcal group C disease itself.
Other medicines and vaccines
Tell your healthcare professional about all medicines you or your child take, including vitamins and natural health products.
This vaccine can usually be given at the same time as other routine childhood and adult vaccines, but always at a different injection site.
Food and drink do not affect this vaccine, since it is given as an injection, not swallowed.
Key points to remember
Bring your immunization record, or your child's, to every vaccination visit.
No vaccine gives complete protection, but NeisVac-C greatly lowers the risk of serious illness from meningococcal group C disease.
These are Canadian Immunization Guide schedules associated with this DIN. The right schedule depends on age, health, prior doses and reason for vaccination. Public health recommendations may differ from a product monograph's authorized schedule.
Meningococcal C (NEISVAC-C) — toddler dose at 12 to 23 months (older provincial programs)
1 dose
One dose of Men-C-C conjugate vaccine at 12 to 23 months, where a province still uses it.
The CIG chapter recommends one dose of Men-C-C at 12 to 23 months regardless of infant doses. NACI (May 2026) now recommends a quadrivalent (Men-C-ACYW) dose at this age instead; a child who already had Men-C-C at 12 to 23 months is not revaccinated.
General information only. A suggested date is not an appointment or a prescription; a healthcare professional confirms what you need. Clinical rules reviewed on 2026-09-27.