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In this Article

• What is meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra)?
• What are the possible side effects of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra)?
• What is the most important information I should know about meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra)?
• How is meningococcal conjugate vaccine given (Menactra)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Menactra)?
• What happens if I overdose (Menactra)?
• What should I avoid before or after getting meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra)?
• What other drugs will affect meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra)?

Do not receive this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a diphtheria or a meningococcal vaccine, or if you have:

• a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome; or
• if you are allergic to latex rubber.

Before receiving meningococcal conjugate vaccine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia;
• any condition that weakens the immune system (such as HIV, AIDS, or cancer); or
• if you are receiving steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive meningococcal conjugate vaccine, or you may need to wait until your condition changes or you have completed your treatments.

FDA pregnancy category C. This vaccine may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon after receiving the vaccine.

Your name may need to be listed on a registry of women who receive a meningococcal vaccine during pregnancy if you receive this vaccine while you are pregnant. The purpose of this registry is to track the outcome of your pregnancy and the birth of your child so that health department authorities are notified of any unwanted effects on the baby.

It is not known whether meningococcal conjugate 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 2 or older than 55 years of age.

How is meningococcal conjugate vaccine given (Menactra)?

This vaccine is given as a shot into a muscle of your upper arm. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended in the following situations:

• for all children 2 to 18 years old;
• for people who are in the military;
• for laboratory workers who are routinely exposed to meningococcal bacteria;
• for people who live in dormitories or other group housing; and
• for people who travel or live among certain populations where meningococcal outbreak is common.

You can still receive a meningococcal conjugate vaccine if you have a minor cold. However, if you are moderately or severely ill with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you recover before receiving this vaccine.

Your doctor may recommend using a non-aspirin pain reliever to prevent pain or fever that can occur with this vaccination. Over-the-counter pain relievers include acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol, and others) or ibuprofen (Motrin Childrens, Advil Childrens, and others). Use this medication when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Use only the dose your doctor recommends.