Risk of relapse after meningococcal C conjugate vaccine in nephrotic syndrome

In November, 1999, all children under age 18 years in the UK were offered immunisation with the newly introduced meningococcal C conjugate vaccine (MCCV). In a cohort of 106 patients with nephrotic syndrome, there were 63 relapses during the 12 months before vaccination, and 96 during the equivalent period postvaccination (p=0.009). The relapse rate of nephrotic syndrome increased significantly after administration of MCCV. Whether to vaccinate such children needs to be carefully considered.