What is a meningococcal meningitis vaccine?
Although rare, meningococcal disease, which includes meningococcal meningitis, is a serious bacterial illness that includes meningitis (the inflammation of the protective layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and septicemia (blood poisoning).1-4 Between 1000 and 2600 cases of meningococcal disease occur in the United States annually.1 Every year, the disease quickly ends the lives of children and can leave its survivors permanently disabled.2,5-7 Fortunately, you’re not powerless. Menactra vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine that can help protect against meningococcal disease.1,2,5,8
Menactra vaccine helps protect children
- A Menactra meningococcal vaccine shot can help reduce your chances of getting meningococcal disease, which includes meningococcal meningitis.1,5
- Menactra vaccine helps protect against the common strains (A, C, Y, and W-135) of meningococcal meningitis bacteria in the United States.2,5
- The CDC recommends all persons 11 through 18 years of age receive meningococcal conjugate vaccine, if not previously vaccinated.1,9
- Menactra vaccine is manufactured and distributed by Sanofi Pasteur Inc., a company with a long history of firsts, including one of the first meningococcal meningitis vaccines, a quadrivalent polysaccharide vaccine, and now Menactra vaccine, to help protect against certain strains of meningococcal disease.1,2
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.