Home > About Us > Resources for Healthcare Providers > Meningococcal Vaccine: A Guide for School Nurses Meningococcal Vaccine:
A Guide for School Nurses
The meningococcal vaccine protects against the meningococcal bacteria which can cause serious infections such as meningitis and septicemia. Although meningococcal infections are rare, they are very serious diseases that can cause death. Even with early treatment, there is a risk of serious complications.
Who is at risk for acquiring meningococcal disease?
Anybody, at any age can get meningococcal disease. In fact, close to 3,000 people each year in the U.S. have a serious Infection with the meningococcal bacteria; 30% are teens and young adults. College students or anyone living in crowded living conditions are particularly at risk because the meningococcal bacteria are easily spread from one person to another, however most types of meningococcal disease can be prevented with a vaccine.
What are the symptoms?
The most common early symptoms are: high fever, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, nausea, and vomiting.
How is meningococcal disease spread?
The meningococcal bacteria is usually spread by coming in contact with respiratory secretions when an infected person coughs or sneezes or by having contact with saliva. Teens who share water bottles are at risk for coming in contact with the bacteria. Meningococcal bacteria may live in the throat without causing any symptoms or may cause an infection of the blood or the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
How is meningococcal disease treated?
Meningococcal disease is treated with antibiotics such as penicillin. Even with treatment, one in ten people will die. For those who survive, 10-20% may have permanent damage such as deafness, seizures, mental retardation, or loss of fingers and toes. The best form of protection for teens against this serious disease is to get vaccinated.
What are the types of meningococcal vaccine that are available in the United States?
There are two meningococcal vaccines that are available in the United States. MPSV4 and MCV4.
MPSV4 was made available in the 1970’s and is given to those over 2 years old, who are at higher risk of meningococcal disease. "MPSV4" stands for Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine.
MCV4 was approved in 2005 and is now being used to protect people who are 11-55 years old. "MCV4" stands for Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine. Scientists believe it is better than the MPSV4 and protection against menigococcal disease appears to be longer too.
How does the vaccine work?
The vaccine is made up of parts of the meningococcal bacteria that cannot cause infection. When a person receives the vaccine, their body makes antibodies to fight the meningococcal bacteria. These antibodies then help protect the body from meningococcal disease, if the vaccinated person comes in contact with someone who has it.
Who should get the meningococcal vaccine?
Health care providers typically recommend that children between 11-12 years old, get the new MCV4 when they have their yearly checkup. If a youngster is older than 12 and hasn’t been vaccinated yet, most likely their health care provider will suggest getting it before they go to high school or before they go to college or in the military service.
Other people who should get vaccinated are those who plan to travel to places where meningococcal disease is common (such as certain regions of Africa), people who may have come in contact with meningitis, anyone who has a disorder of their immune system, anyone whose spleen has been damaged or had surgery to remove it, and people who study this disease in a lab.
If a young person has come in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease, it is important that they see their health care provider so they can receive antibiotic treatment – even if they have been vaccinated.
Are there any side effects associated with the menigococcal vaccine?
Most people who get vaccinated will not have a side effect. The most common side effects are:
Serious allergic reactions are rare.
These discomforts are usually temporary but may last for a few days. In very few cases, side effects may include: fever, dizziness and/or nausea. Anaphylactic reactions requiring emergent care are rare. The risk of death is also rare.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has set up a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). For more information contact the
1-800-822-7967 or www.vaers.hhs.gov.
Is the meningococcal vaccine effective?
Both the Meningococcal Polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) and the Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) can prevent four types of meningococcal disease, but not all. About 90% of people who receive either vaccine will be protected.
Is there any reason why a preteen or teen should wait or not get the meningococcal vaccine?
Most pre-teens and teens get the MCV4 without any problems. However, there are some reasons when a person should wait or not get the vaccine.
Reasons to not give the meningococcal vaccine (MCV4):
What are the types of meningococcal vaccine and how is it administered?
Menomune®
Menactra®
Other considerations when administering the meningococcal vaccine:
Meningococcal Disease is a very serious illness that can usually be prevented with a vaccine. Adolescents should be encouraged to see their health care provider regularly and keep their immunizations up to date. |
Resources
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO)
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm
Published 10/19/2007
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