Meningococcal conjugate vaccine

Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can affect the spinal cord and brain, causing meningitis, which can be fatal or result in permanent and disabling medical issues.

Meningococcal disease can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria is usually transmitted through close contact with an infected person, particularly through kissing or sharing a drinking glass or eating utensil.

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y. This vaccine helps your body build immunity to meningitis, but it will not treat an active infection you already have.

The Menactra brand of this vaccine is for use in children and adults aged 9 months to 55 years. Menveo is for children and adults aged 2 months to 55 years. MenQuadfi is for adults and children 6 weeks of age and older.

Like any vaccine, meningococcal conjugate vaccine may not protect every person from the disease.

This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle.

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is given as one or more doses, depending on your condition. You may also need a booster dose if you are at high risk of meningococcal infection.

Your booster schedule may be different. Follow the guidelines provided by your doctor or local health department.

Be sure to receive all recommended doses of this vaccine or you may not be fully protected against disease.

You will be watched for a short time to make sure you do not feel faint after receiving this vaccine.

There are other types of meningococcal vaccine available. When you receive a booster dose, make sure you are receiving a vaccine for meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, or Y and not for serogroup B.

You should not receive this vaccine if you had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine or to any of its ingredients.

You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to a meningococcal conjugate vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine.

Tell your vaccination provider if you have or have ever had:

• a severe illness with a fever or any recent infection;
• a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicine, or by chemotherapy or radiation); or
• Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Tell your doctor or vaccine provider if your child was born prematurely before your child receives this vaccine.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of meningococcal conjugate vaccine on the baby.

It is not known whether meningococcal conjugate vaccine will harm an unborn baby. However, if you are at high risk for infection with meningococcal during pregnancy, your doctor should determine whether you need this vaccine.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using meningococcal conjugate vaccine.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Keep track of all side effects you experience. If you need a booster dose, inform the vaccination provider if the previous shot caused any side effects.

Getting meningococcal disease and developing meningitis may be more harmful to your health than receiving the vaccine designed to protect against it. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the chance of serious side effects is very low.

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine may lead to serious side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• fainting or passing out; or
• nervous system issues—numbness, pain, tingling, weakness, burning or prickly sensations, vision or hearing problems, or trouble breathing.

Common side effects of meningococcal conjugate vaccine may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• changes in appetite;
• redness, pain, swelling, tenderness, or hardening at the injection site;
• joint or muscle pain;
• headache, drowsiness, tiredness;
• fever, feeling unwell; or
• unusual or ongoing crying, irritability in a baby that received the vaccine.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Contact your doctor for medical advice regarding side effects. You can report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1 800 822 7967.

Usual Adult Dose for Meningococcal Meningitis Prophylaxis:

0.5 mL intramuscularly once

Usual Pediatric Dose for Meningococcal Meningitis Prophylaxis:

2 years or older: 0.5 mL intramuscularly once.

Contact your vaccination provider if you miss a dose or fall behind schedule. You should receive the next dose as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.

An overdose of this vaccine is not likely to happen.

Follow your vaccination provider's instructions regarding any restrictions on food, drinks, or activities.

Before getting this vaccine, inform your vaccination provider about all other vaccines you have received recently, especially diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines (like Daptacel).

Also, let the vaccination provider know if you have recently taken any drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

• steroids;
• medicines for psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or
• medicines for cancer treatment or to prevent organ transplant rejection.

This list is not complete. Other medications may affect meningococcal conjugate vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are included here.