About 2,600 people get meningococcal disease each year in the United States. Ten to fifteen percent (10 -15%) of these people die, in spite of treatment with antibiotics. Of those who live, another 11-19% lose their arms or legs, become deaf, have problems with their nervous system, become mentally retarded, or suffer seizures or strokes.

The Disease

Meningitis is an infection of the spinal cord and fluid surrounding the brain. Meningococcal disease also causes blood infections. Children and young adults, particularly college freshmen who live in dormitories, are most often affected by meningococcal disease, but persons of any age can become infected.There are 2 types of meningococcal disease: bacterial and viral. Severity of the disease and treatment depend on which type a person has.

(more about the symptoms and way its spread)

The Immunization

There are 2 types of meningococcal vaccine. Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MCV4) is routinely recommended for all 11 and 12 year olds, and for children over 12 who need to be caught up. MCV4 is preferred for people aged 11-55. The meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) vaccine is recommended for certain high risk children from the ages of 2 through 10. This includes children who travel to countries where meningitis is common or those whose spleens have been damaged.

(more about the immunization and side effects)

Vaccine Recommendations

• CDC Recommendations on Meningococcal Disease
• AAP Recommendations on Meningococcal Disease
• Implementation Guidance from the AAP

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)

• 10/19/06 Update on Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS and Menactra (MCV4) An ongoing known risk for serious meningococcal disease exists. Therefore, the CDC and AAP are recommending that routine vaccination continue of adolescents, college freshman living in dormitories, and other populations at increased risk of meningitis. People with a history of GBS should not receive MCV4.
• For more information:
  • CDC Fact Sheet for Health Care Professionals (Exit Site)
• Meningococcal Vaccine Information Statement (Exit Site)
• AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases statement, Guillain-Barré Cases Among Recipients of Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine: Interim Guidance for Physicians (Exit Site)
• For general information about GBS, visit the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (part of the National Institutes of Health). (Exit Site)

• Why get vaccinated?
• What is meningococcal disease?
• Who should get meningococcal vaccine and when?
• Some people should not get meningococcal vaccine or should wait
• What are the risks from meningococcal vaccine?
• What if there is a moderate or severe reaction?

Other Resources

• CDC Meningococcal page (Exit Site)
• Immunization Action Coalition Meningococcal page (Exit Site)
• National Network for Immunization Information Meningococcal page (Exit Site)