What is meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine?
Meningococcal disease is a serious infection caused by a bacteria. Meningococcal bacteria can infect the blood, spinal cord, and brain. These conditions can be fatal.
Meningococcal disease can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria can also be passed through contact with objects the infected person has touched, such as a door handle, or other surface. The bacteria can also be passed through kissing, or sharing a drinking glass or eating utensil with an infected person.
Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by meningococcal bacteria. The vaccine contains four of the most common types of meningococcal bacteria.
Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes your body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine is for use in adults and children who are at least 3 months of age.
Like any vaccine, meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
What is the most important information I should know about this vaccine?
Developing meningitis (infection of the spinal cord and lining of the brain) is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you ever need to receive another meningococcal vaccine in the future, you will need to tell the doctor if the first shot caused any side effects.
Do not receive this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a meningococcal vaccine, or if you are allergic to a preservative called thimerosol.
Before receiving meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, tell your doctor if you have a weak immune system, if you are allergic to latex rubber, or if you are receiving steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment. If you have any of these conditions, your vaccine may need to be postponed.
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.
Like any vaccine, meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine?
You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a meningococcal vaccine, or if you are allergic to a preservative called thimerosol.
If you have any of these other conditions, your vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all:
any condition that weakens the immune system (such as HIV, AIDS, or cancer);
if you are receiving steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments; or
if you are allergic to latex rubber.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of this vaccine on the baby.
It is not known whether meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
This vaccine should not be given to anyone younger than 3 months old.