The meninges of the brain
Meningococcal vaccine can prevent Meningococcal disease. Hence, before knowing in detail about this vaccine, it is very important to know more about the Meningococcal disease.
What is Meningococcal disease?
It is a very serious bacterial sickness. In the United States, this disease is responsible for causing bacterial meningitis in kids in the age group of 2 to 18. In simple words, it is an infection of the spinal cord and the covering of the brain. This disease is also responsible for causing blood infections. Every year, around 1000 to 1200 people get affected due to Meningococcal disease. Out of these, around 10-15% people die even if they were given the best antibiotic treatments. Around 11-20% people live, but they lose their arms or legs or become deaf or mentally retarded. There is high risk of seizures and strokes too.
Who can get Meningococcal disease?
It is more common in infants less than a year old. People in the age group of 16-21 years are also in the danger zone. The disease can be prevented by using Meningococcal vaccine.
Meningococcal Vaccine
There are two types of vaccines available in the United States
- MCV4 – that is Meningococcal conjugate vaccine – this one is given to people below the age of 55 years.
- MPSV4 – that is Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine – this one is given to people above the age of 55 years.
Both these types of Meningococcal vaccines have the power to prevent 4 types of Meningococcal disease.
Who should take the Meningococcal vaccine?
- Two doses of MCV4 for adolescents are must. The first dose should be given at the age of 11 or 12 and the second booster dose should be given at the age of 16 years.
- Adolescents, who have HIV infection, should be given 3 doses. The First two doses will be given within months at the age of 11-12 years. The third booster dose will be given at the age of 16 years.
- This vaccine is also good for college freshmen who live in dormitories.
- People working in laboratories should take this vaccine without fail, since they are openly exposed to the Meningococcal bacteria.
- If you are planning to travel to places like few parts of Africa, where Meningococcal disease is common, you should take the Meningococcal vaccine.
- Those with low immunity should also take this vaccine.
Are there any side effects of Meningococcal vaccine?
It is commonly known that some vaccines can possible have some severe side effects. However, no incidences of death or serious harm have been reported after taking the Meningococcal vaccine.
Some minor side effects like dizziness or seizure like movements may follow subsequent to a vaccination. If you feel faint after getting Meningococcal vaccine, then it you can sit for 10-15 minutes so that you don’t end up getting hurt due to fall. If you experience redness or mild pain after getting the shot, then there is no need to worry. These are minor problems which will soon subside. Mild fever is also possible in some cases. There is no need to panic for it.
To know other details about Meningococcal vaccine, you can visit your doctor. The doctor will give you the vaccine package insert or will suggest some other useful information. You can also call the local or state health department to know the details about Meningococcal vaccine.
