Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine

In February 2005 the Center for Disease Control (CDC’s) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended routine vaccination of adolescents 11-12 years of age with a meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4), Menactra.

This vaccine protects against several strains of Neisseria meningitides, which causes bacterial meningitis -- a sudden and serious disease that can have a very rapid course. Death occurs in 10-14% of all cases; 11-19% will suffer serious sequelae that can include deafness, neurologic deficit, or limb loss.  

Routine vaccination with Menactra is now recommended for:

• Children age 11-12 years of age
• Adolescents entering high school
• College freshmen, especially those living in dormitories

Immunization for at-risk populations
Menactra vaccination continues to be recommended for other populations at increased risk for meningococcal disease, including people who:

• Are entering the military

• Are traveling or living in countries
  where N. meningititides is hyper-
  endemic or epidemic
• Have terminal compliment deficiencies
• Have functional or anatomic asplenia
• Have HIV infection

In 2005, the FDA and CDC issued an alert about Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) occurring among recipients of Menactra. GBS is a rare but serious neurologic disorder involving inflammatory demyelination of peripheral nerves. At this point, CDC is unable to determine whether Menactra increases the risk of GBS in persons who receive the vaccine, for its background rate is not precisely known. 

Because the risk for serious meningococcal disease is significant, the CDC continues to recommend Menactra vaccination for the populations above. Health care providers should talk with adolescents and their caregivers about this concern; providers should use the CDC’s Meningococcal Vaccine Information Statement.

Reporting Adverse Vaccine Effects

Report vaccine-related adverse effects, including GBS or intussusception, by contacting:

VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System)
http://www.vaers.hhs.gov
1-800-822-7967