Meningococcal disease
Who should be vaccinated?
Two vaccines are available in the United States to help prevent meningococcal disease.
1
2 These are called:
Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meningococcal disease.
Available at http://www.cdc.gov (accessed on 2 June 2008).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meningococcal disease.
Available at http://www.cdc.gov (accessed on 2 June 2008).
Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Notice to Readers: Revised Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to Vaccinate All Persons Aged 11--18 Years with Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine.
August 2007. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR (accessed on 2 June 2008).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Notice to Readers: Revised Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to Vaccinate All Persons Aged 11--18 Years with Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine.
August 2007. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR (accessed on 2 June 2008).
- Menomune (MPSV4)
- Menactra (MCV4).
Menactra is recommended for anyone between 11 and 18.
1
2 It should be given as early as possible, usually when a child reaches 11 or 12.
Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meningococcal disease.
Available at http://www.cdc.gov (accessed on 2 June 2008).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meningococcal disease.
Available at http://www.cdc.gov (accessed on 2 June 2008).
Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Notice to Readers: Revised Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to Vaccinate All Persons Aged 11--18 Years with Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine.
August 2007. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR (accessed on 2 June 2008).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Notice to Readers: Revised Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to Vaccinate All Persons Aged 11--18 Years with Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine.
August 2007. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR (accessed on 2 June 2008).
You may also be advised to have this vaccine if you:
- Are a high school freshman
- Are a college freshman living in a dormitory
- Are a military recruit
- Have a damaged spleen (or you've had your spleen removed)
- Have problems with your
immune system
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.immune system - Are traveling to countries where there's an outbreak of meningococcal disease
- Might have been exposed to meningitis during an outbreak.
Menomune is recommended for:
- Children between 2 and 10
- Adults over 55.
Source:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
FDA and CDC issue alert on Menactra meningococcal vaccine and Guillain Barre Syndrome.
Available at http://www.fda.gov (accessed on 2 June 2008).
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
FDA and CDC issue alert on Menactra meningococcal vaccine and Guillain Barre Syndrome.
Available at http://www.fda.gov (accessed on 2 June 2008).
Sources for the information on this page:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Meningococcal disease.Available at http://www.cdc.gov (accessed on 2 June 2008).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Notice to Readers: Revised Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to Vaccinate All Persons Aged 11--18 Years with Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine.August 2007. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR (accessed on 2 June 2008).
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA and CDC issue alert on Menactra meningococcal vaccine and Guillain Barre Syndrome.Available at http://www.fda.gov (accessed on 2 June 2008).
This information was last updated on Nov 18, 2008
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional.
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Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.
Source: ConsumerReportsHealth.org Copyright © 2005-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
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