Why shouldn't you get the meningitis vaccine?

You or your child have had a life-threatening allergic reaction or have a severe allergy. If you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a previous dose of MenACWY or MenB vaccine, do not get another dose of that type of vaccine.

Is meningitis vaccine unsafe?

What are the risks from meningococcal vaccine? Most people have mild side effects from the vaccine, such as redness or pain where the shot was given. A vaccine, like any medicine, may cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. This risk is extremely small.

What are the dangers of meningococcal vaccine?

Can I refuse the meningitis vaccine?

Exemptions: Students may begin classes without a certificate of immunization against meningococcal disease if: 1) the student has a letter from a physician stating that there is a medical reason why he/she can't receive the vaccine; 2) the student (or the student's parent or legal guardian, if the student is a minor) ...

What happens if you don't take the meningococcal vaccine?

These bacteria can infect the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord called the "meninges" and cause meningitis, or they can infect the blood or other body organs.

Meningitis Vaccine

Is the meningococcal vaccine worth it?

Meningococcal disease is a very serious infection that can cause severe scarring, loss of limbs, brain damage and death. Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect yourself from meningococcal disease.

What is the truth about meningitis vaccine?

MenACWY and MenB vaccines are safe and effective at preventing meningococcal disease. Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. The most common side effects are usually mild and go away on their own. Severe allergic reactions following vaccination are rare, but can be life threatening.

Why do college students get meningitis vaccine?

Recent data show that the risk for meningococcal disease in college students is slightly higher than the risk in other teens and young adults who are not attending college. College campuses have reported outbreaks of serogroup B meningococcal disease in recent years.

Is meningitis vaccine good for life?

For children 7 years old or older and adults, administer a booster dose 5 years after completion of the primary series and every 5 years thereafter.

Is the meningitis vaccine FDA approved?

Licensure marks MenQuadfi as the only U.S. FDA-approved quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine indicated for persons 2 through 56 years of age and older. MenQuadfi is the first and only quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine in the U.S. that uses tetanus toxoid as a protein carrier.

Is meningitis vaccine live or killed?

No type of vaccine contains live or intact meningococcal bacteria.

Should I vaccine my child against meningococcal?

The meningococcal B vaccine is given at the same time as other routine baby vaccinations at 2*, 4 and 12 months. It is safe to give the meningococcal B vaccine with other childhood vaccines. It is also important that all doses are given to ensure the highest level of protection for your child.

What is the last age for meningitis vaccine?

The vaccine is offered to teenagers aged 14 years old. It is also offered to people up to the age of 25 who have never had a vaccine containing MenC.

Why dont adults get the meningococcal vaccine?

Adults need to be vaccinated if they are at increased risk of meningococcal disease. This includes college students, military personnel, international travelers to areas where meningococcal disease is endemic, scientists who may be exposed to meningococcal bacteria, and those without a functioning spleen.

What percentage of college students get meningitis?

These cases represent approximately 3% of the total cases of meningococcal disease that occur each year in the United States. Eighty-seven (97%) cases occurred in undergraduate students, and 40 (44%) occurred among the 2.27 million freshman students entering college each year (16).

Who is at high risk for meningitis?

Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but rates of disease are highest in children younger than 1 year old, with a second peak in adolescence. Among teens and young adults, those 16 through 23 years old have the highest rates of meningococcal disease.

What is the death rate of meningitis?

Even with early diagnosis and adequate treatment, 5% to 10% of patients die, typically within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. Bacterial meningitis may result in brain damage, hearing loss or a learning disability in 10% to 20% of survivors.

What is the death rate of meningitis B?

The overall case-fatality ratio of meningococcal disease is 10% to 15%, even with appropriate antibiotic therapy, and can be higher in persons with meningococcemia. As many as 20% of survivors have permanent sequelae, such as hearing loss, neurologic damage, or loss of a limb.

Can you still get meningitis if vaccinated?

Like with any vaccine, these vaccines do not work 100% of the time. The vaccines also do not protect against infections from all the types (strains) of each of these bacteria. For these reasons, there is still a chance vaccinated people can develop bacterial meningitis.

What are the chances of getting meningococcal?

Am I at Risk? The risk of getting the disease is very low. Although meningococcal disease is infectious and can cause outbreaks, 97 out of every 100 cases are isolated, with no link to any other cases.

What is the meningitis vaccine made of?

Each dose contains 4 micrograms (µg) each of meningococcal A, C, W, and Y polysaccharides conjugated to approximately 48 µg of diphtheria toxoid protein carrier. It does not contain a preservative or an adjuvant. The manufacturer supplies it as a liquid in a single-dose vial.

How is meningitis spread?

People spread meningococcal bacteria to other people by sharing respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit). Generally, it takes close (for example, coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact to spread these bacteria. Fortunately, they are not as contagious as germs that cause the common cold or the flu.

What triggers meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections also can cause meningitis.

What are the 5 causes of meningitis?

And while meningitis is most often caused by bacteria or a virus, did you know that physical injury, illness, and certain medications can also lead to the condition? There are actually five types of meningitis — bacterial, viral, parasitic, fungal, and non-infectious — each classified by the cause of the disease.