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Menactra™ - Meningococcal Vaccine

(groups A, C, Y and W-135 conjugate)

What is meningococcal disease?

• Meningococcal disease is a serious illness caused by a

   bacteria. It can produce an infection of the blood or an

   infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord

   (meningitis).
• Meningococcal disease is spread by nasal droplets and

   throat secretions.
• Between 5 and 15% of people who get this disease will

   die; 25% of these deaths are in children.

What does meningococcal vaccine contain?

• Meningococcal vaccine contains diphtheria toxoid protein,

   sodium chloride, sodium phosphate and water for

   injection.
• No preservative or adjuvant is added during manufacture.
• The stopper of the meningococcal vial contains latex. The

   syringe presentation contains no latex.

Who should receive the vaccine?

• People 2 years of age and older.
• College freshmen who live in dorms.
• Lab personnel who are routinely exposed to isolates of N.

   meningitides.

Who should not receive the vaccine?

• Children under the age of 2.
• Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to

   any component of the vaccine.
• Use with caution for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• People with moderate to severe illness may have to delay

   immunization.
• People with a known history of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

When should the vaccine be given?

• At least two weeks before international travel.
• One dose for people 2 years of age and older.
• At least 10 to 14 days before removal of spleen.
• May be safely given with other vaccines.

How is the vaccine given?

• By injection into a muscle.

How effective is the vaccine?

• Over 80% of children aged 2 to 20 years are protected.
• Over 90% of people 11 years and older are protected.

How long does the protection last?

• At least 2 to 3 years.
• Duration of protection is unknown.

What might be felt after receiving the vaccine?

• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Diarrhea
• Appetite changes
• Achiness
• Fever
• Vomitting

Call the number below if you have severe or unusual reactions.

For more information contact Public Health Services at (306) 655-4780.

Your immunization information will be recorded in a computerized system known as the Saskatchewan Immunization Management System (SIMS).

Information collected in SIMS may be used to:

• manage immunization records
• notify you if you or your child needs an immunization
• and monitor how well vaccines work in preventing vaccine preventable diseases.

Your immunization record may also be shared with health care professionals in order to provide public health services; assist with diagnosis and treatment; and to control the spread of vaccine preventable diseases.

© 2008, Saskatoon Health Region.  Reproduced only by permission.

(updated February 19, 2009)