MenQuadfi

Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can affect the spinal cord and brain, leading to meningitis, which can be deadly or result in permanent and disabling health issues.

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

MenQuadfi 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 may already have.

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

Like any vaccine, MenQuadfi may not provide protection from disease in every person.

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 get this vaccine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to MenQuadfi 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, 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 on a pregnancy registry to monitor the effects of meningococcal conjugate vaccine on the baby.

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

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using MenQuadfi.

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

MenQuadfi may cause serious side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

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

Common side effects of MenQuadfi 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 persistent crying, irritability in a baby that received the vaccine.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may happen. 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.

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

MenQuadfi is given as one or more doses, depending on your condition. You may also need a booster dose if you have a 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.

Contact your vaccination provider if you miss a dose or fall behind schedule. You should get 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 limits on food, drinks, or activities.

Before you get this vaccine, inform your vaccination provider about all other vaccines you have had 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 could weaken your immune system, including:

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

This list is not exhaustive. Other drugs may interact with MenQuadfi, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all potential drug interactions are mentioned here.