Meningococcal Vaccine

Meningococcal diphtheria conjugate vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by certain meningococcal bacteria such as Groups A, C, Y, and W-135.

It is an active immunizing agent works by stimulating your immune system to produce antibodies (protection) against the bacteria and so your body will now fight against the infection.

The vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

It may not provide protection from disease in every person.

It is recommended to be used in children between 9 months to 55years of age.

It is given by your doctor or under his/her supervision and is available in the form of powder for suspension.

Before starting the treatment your doctor should be informed about condition such as,

Allergy

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any food, preservatives, dyes, or had an allergic reaction when you used this drug before.

Children

There are no adequate studies done which prove its safety in infants younger than 9 months of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Elderly

There are no adequate studies done which prove its safety and efficacy in adults above 55 years of age.

Pregnancy

It is not known if it can harm an unborn baby or not. There are no adequate studies done to prove its safety during pregnancy.

Breast Feeding

It is not known if it can pass into breastmilk or not. If you are using it while nursing, discuss the potential risks with your doctor.

Drug Interactions

Meningococcal vaccine and Diphtheria conjugate may interact with other drugs.

Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines which you are taking. He may want to change the dosage or drug.

Some of them are listed below,

• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• Etanercept (Enbrel)
• Leflunomide (Arava)
• Basiliximab (Simulect)
• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf)
• Muromonab CD3 (Orthoclone)
• Mycophenolate mofetil (cellcept)
• Sirolimus (Rapamune)
• Tacrolimus (Prograf)
• Measles virus vaccine, live

Other Medical Conditions

Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness.

Make sure you inform your doctor of conditions such as,

• Child has a weak immune system caused by disease (cancer, HIV, or AIDS), or by taking certain medicines such as steroids; or
• Premature birth
• Guillain Barré syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a vaccine that contains tetanus)
• Hemophilia (blood disorder)
• Recent severe illness

It is given as an injection into your muscle by your doctor or nurse or trained health professional.

It is given as a single dose. No boosters are required unless your doctor tell you.

Vaccine information statements are given to the patient, parent, or guardian before receiving this vaccine.

Read the information carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Your doctor should check your daily progress at regular visits.

This vaccine can cause serious allergic reaction.

Inform your doctor immediately if you or your child develops

• cough,
• rash,
• itching skin,
• large, hive like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs,
• trouble breathing,
• lightheadedness,
• dizziness,
• fainting.

Your doctor should be informed of any other vaccine you or your child has received recently.

It contains a dry latex rubber. Inform your doctor if you or your child had an allergic reaction to latex before.

Inform your doctor if you or your child has any

Iimmune system problem or other illnesses as it may not work as well in patients who have immune system problems or are taking medicine that suppresses the immune system, such as corticosteroids, chemotherapy or radiations.

You or your child may experience

• fainting,
• blurred vision,
• numbness or tingling in arms, hands, or feet,
• seizures.

Your doctor may want you or your child to be observed for 15 minutes after you get the injection to prevent and manage fainting.

Inform your child’s doctor that your child received the vaccine if a severe infection occurs during 2 weeks after the vaccine is given.

Inform your doctor if

You or your child have sudden weakness or are not able to move your arms or legs after receiving this vaccination. This could be a sign of Guillain Barre Syndrome.

All medicines have some side effects. Some people may experience none or minor side effects.

Consult with your doctor if they become problematic or frequent

More common are,

• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty with moving
• Fever
• General feeling of discomfort or illness
• Hard lump at the injection site
• Headache
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle pain or stiffness
• Pain in the joints
• Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• Sleepiness
• Weight loss

Less common

• Vomiting

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 side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.