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Two vaccines are available in the United States to help prevent meningococcal disease.^{1 2} These are called:

• Menomune (MPSV4)
• Menactra (MCV4).

Both of these vaccines work against four different types of meningococcal bacteria (groups A, C, Y and W-135).

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.

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
• Are traveling to countries where there's an outbreak of meningococcal disease
• Might have been exposed to meningitis during an outbreak.

If you're between 11 and 55, you'll usually be given Menactra, although Menomune can also be used.

Menomune is recommended for:

• Children between 2 and 10
• Adults over 55.

Recently, five people who took the Menactra vaccine went on to get Guillain-Barré syndrome.³ Guillain-Barré syndrome causes weakness and breathing difficulties. We don't know if the vaccine caused this problem. These cases are being investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, which checks the safety of drugs in the United States.

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 2008. All rights reserved.