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ACIP Recommends Meningococcal Vaccine for Adolescents and College Freshmen
Patient information
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Welcome to MeningococcalDisease.com
A Survivor's Story
"...her case was potentially vaccine preventable"
Susan T, a 15-year-old high school student, woke up...
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A devastating disease
Meningococcal (ME-NING-GO-KOK-AL) disease is a serious bacterial infection. It can cause meningitis—severe swelling of the brain and spinal cord. It can also lead to sepsis—a dangerous and potentially life-threatening blood infection.1
This Web site was developed to help you understand what meningococcal disease is, why it is so dangerous, and how the meningitis vaccine can protect those at risk.
A disease of college students?
Many people think that meningococcal disease is only a problem on college campuses. The truth is, anyone can get it, and it can be devastating.
You may be surprised to know that meningococcal disease is also a threat for an even younger age group: adolescents. That's right—adolescents of high school age are also at increased risk from this serious and potentially deadly infection. Find out why on this Web site.
Reference: 1. Granoff DM, Feavers IM, Borrow R. Meningococcal vaccines. In: Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, eds. Vaccines. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Inc.; 2004:959-987.
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 A Survivor's Story
Susan T, a 15-year-old high school student, woke up with a headache, pains in her arms and legs, and a temperature of 103°F. That night she began to vomit and her parents took her to the hospital.
"...her case was potentially vaccine preventable."
In the emergency room, she appeared to have a seizure and went into shock. A few hours later, a rash of small purplish dots appeared on her arms and legs. A test of her spinal fluid showed that she had meningococcal disease.
Appropriate antibiotics were started. Susan developed septicemia (a very serious blood infection) that caused gangrene in her arms and legs.
To save her life, doctors had to amputate both of her legs below the knee.
Because Susan's meningococcal disease was caused by N meningitidis serogroup C, her case was potentially vaccine preventable.
Susan represents a hypothetical patient, but her story is based on actual cases.1,2
References: 1. Erickson L, De Wals P. Complications and sequelae of meningococcal disease in Quebec, Canada, 1990-1994. Clin Infect Dis. 1998;26:1159-1164. 2. Warren HS Jr, Gonzalez RG, Tian D. Case 38-2003: a 12-year-old girl with fever and coma. N Engl J Med. 2003;249:2341-2349.
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Safety Information
Menactra (Meningococcal [Groups A, C, Y and W-135] Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine) is given to persons 11 through 55 years of age to prevent meningococcal disease caused by N meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135. Menactra vaccine will not protect against infection caused by N meningitidis other than serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135. As with any vaccine, vaccination with Menactra vaccine may not protect 100% of individuals. There are risks associated with all vaccines. The most common side effects with Menactra vaccine may include pain, redness, and swelling at the site of injection, headache, fatigue, and a vague feeling of bodily discomfort. Menactra vaccine should not be given to persons with known hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine or to latex, which is used in the vial stopper, or to persons who have been previously diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). When administering an intramuscular injection, like Menactra vaccine, in people with bleeding disorders, caution should be exercised because they may develop a serious bruise or collection of blood at the injection site. If you notice any other problems or symptoms following vaccination, please contact your health-care professional immediately.
For more information about Menactra vaccine, talk to your health-care professional.
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