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Brand Names: Menactra

Generic Name: meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Pronunciation: me NIN je KOK al KON je gate vax EEN)

• 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 is meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra)?

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 conjugate vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by meningococcal bacteria. The vaccine contains four of the most common types of meningococcal bacteria.

Meningococcal conjugate 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 conjugate vaccine is for use in children and adults between the ages of 2 and 55 years old.

Like any vaccine, meningococcal conjugate vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Becoming infected with 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.

What are the possible side effects of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra)?

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you ever have to receive another meningococcal vaccine in the future, you will need to tell the doctor if the first shot caused any side effects.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• severe weakness or unusual feeling in your arms and legs (may occur 2 to 4 weeks after you receive the vaccine);
• high fever; or
• unusual bleeding.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• low fever, chills;
• redness, pain, swelling, or a lump where the vaccine was injected;
• headache, weakness, tired feeling;
• joint pain;
• diarrhea;
• vomiting, loss of appetite; or
• mild skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

What is the most important information I should know about meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra)?

Becoming infected with meningitis 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 or a diphtheria vaccine, if you are allergic to latex rubber, or if you have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Before receiving meningococcal conjugate vaccine, tell your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, a weak immune system, or if you are receiving steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment. If you have any of these conditions, your vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all.

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.

Like any vaccine, meningococcal conjugate vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.