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Meningococcal Disease

With different terms, such as meningococcal disease, meningitis, and septicemia, understanding this disease can be challenging.

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness, which includes meningococcal meningitis (an infection of the protective layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and septicemia (blood poisoning).

Meningitis can cause the meninges, or membranes around the brain or spinal cord, to get dangerously inflamed, potentially causing brain damage. Septicemia involves a rapid spread of disease toxins throughout the bloodstream, resulting in dangerously low blood pressure and multiple organ failure.1-4 Together, they create a deadly, quickly worsening disease that may be hard to diagnose, especially in its early stages.2,3 Meningococcal disease can take the life of an otherwise healthy child in 24 hours.6,7

Learn more about meningitis

Effects of meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease, which includes meningococcal meningitis, has cut short the dreams of many young people as well as devastated their families. As many as 1 in 10 people with meningococcal disease die.1 Up to 1 in 5 of the survivors can be left with serious medical problems that may include:2,6

  • Amputation of limbs, fingers, or toes
  • Severe scarring
  • Brain damage
  • Hearing loss
  • Kidney damage
  • Emotional and psychological problems, including anxiety, depression, difficulty working, and more

Preventing meningococcal disease

Menactra vaccine can help protect your children from getting meningococcal disease, which can lead to meningitis.2,5 Ask your doctor today about vaccinating with Menactra vaccine.

NEXT: How do I get the vaccine?

Important Safety Information



Indication

Menactra vaccine is given to people 9 months through 55 years of age to help prevent meningococcal disease (including meningitis) caused by certain strains of meningococcal bacteria. Menactra vaccine is not indicated for the prevention of meningitis caused by meningococcal strains not contained in the vaccine.

Safety Information

Side effects to Menactra vaccine include injection site pain, redness, swelling, headache and tiredness. In infants, irritability, crying, drowsiness, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Other side effects may occur.

Vaccination should be avoided by persons with known hypersensitivity (severe allergic reaction) to any ingredient of the vaccine. Persons previously diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS - severe muscle weakness) may have an increased chance of getting GBS following vaccination. Vaccination with Menactra vaccine may not protect all individuals.

For more information about Menactra vaccine, talk to your health-care professional.

Ask for Menactra vaccine today?

Vaccinating your children against meningococcal disease (which includes meningococcal meningitis) is the best way to help protect them.

Help for the underinsured and uninsured

If you’re underinsured or uninsured, your child can still get the Menactra vaccine – for little or no fee.19