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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 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.2,3,5,6 Together, they create a deadly, quickly-worsening disease that may be hard to diagnose, especially in its early stages.3,5 Meningococcal disease can take the life of an otherwise healthy child in 24 hours.8,9

Learn more about meningitis

Effects of meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease 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.5 Up to 1 in 5 of the survivors can be left with serious medical problems that may include:3,8

  • 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.1,3 Ask your doctor today about vaccinating with Menactra vaccine.

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Share your personal experience with meningococcal disease and meningitis.

Ask for Menactra vaccine today

Vaccinating your children against meningococcal disease (which includes 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.13

Indication
Menactra vaccine is given to persons 2 through 55 years of age for active immunization against invasive meningococcal disease caused by N meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135. Menactra vaccine will not stimulate protection against infection caused by N meningitidis other than serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135.

Safety Information
Side effects to Menactra vaccine include injection site pain, redness, and swelling; headache or fatigue. Other side effects may occur. Vaccination should be avoided by persons with known hypersensitivity (severe allergic reaction) to any ingredient of the vaccine, including latex (which is used in the vial stopper), or by any persons previously diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. There is a potential for an increased chance of getting Guillain-Barré syndrome following vaccination. Vaccination with Menactra vaccine may not protect all individuals.

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