Meningitis

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is a rare but serious infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and is caused by meningococcal disease, a bacterial illness. Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but it is most common in infants younger than 12 months of age and people with certain medical conditions, such as a removed spleen. College freshman who live in dormitories, and teenagers aged 15 to 19 have an increased risk of getting meningococcal disease.

What is the Meningitis vaccine?

The meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) can prevent four types of meningococcal disease, including two of the three types most common in the U.S. and a type that causes epidemics in Africa. This vaccine protects about 90% of people who get it.

Who should get the Meningitis vaccine?

A dose of the Meningitis vaccine is recommended for children and adolescents ages 11 through 18 years of age. This dose is normally given during the routine pre-adolescent immunization visit at 11-12 years of age. The Meningitis vaccine is also recommended for other people through ages 55 at increased risk for meningococcal disease, as follows:

• College freshman living in dormitories
• Anyone who has a damaged or removed spleen
• U.S. military recruits
• Microbiologists who are routinely exposed to meningococcal bacteria
• Anyone travelling to, or living in, a part of the world where meningococcal disease is common, such as parts of Africa

Take Care Clinics^SM offer the Meningitis vaccine to patients ages 11 through 55 years of age.

Who should not get the Meningitis vaccine?

• Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of meningococcal vaccine, or to any vaccine component should not get the vaccine.
• Anyone who is moderately or severely ill should probably wait until they recover.
• Anyone who has ever had Guillain-Barre Syndrome should talk to their provider before getting this vaccine.
• The Meningitis vaccine should only be given to pregnant women if clearly needed.