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Meningococcal Vaccine

Published October 4, 2007

Williamson County Schools recently sent home information for parents about meningococcal vaccines.  State law requires that school systems notify parents of the vaccine, which is available to you through your health care provider.  This vaccine is not required to attend Williamson County Schools.   

  1. What is meningococcal disease?

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord.  It can also cause blood infections.  Meningitis can either be bacterial or viral.  It is the bacterial meningococcal disease that is a serious illness for all ages. 

  1. Meningococcal Vaccine

Two vaccines are available in the U.S.  Meningococcal polysaccharide (MPSV4) has been available since the 1970s.  Meningococcal conjugates vaccine (MCV4) was licensed since 2005.  Each vaccine can prevent four types of meningococcal disease, including two of the three types most common in the U.S.  It cannot prevent all types of the disease.  Both vaccines work well in about 90 percent of the people who get them. 

  1. Who should get meningococcal vaccine and when?

MCV4 is often recommended for all children at their routine preadolescent visit (11-12 years of age).  A dose may be recommended at high school or college entry if the child has never received the vaccine before.  It may also be recommended for microbiologists, US military, travel to Africa, or for individuals with a damaged spleen. 

  1. Who could get meningococcal disease?

Anyone can get meningococcal disease.  It is most common in infants less than one year of age and people with certain medical conditions, such as lack of a spleen.  College freshmen who live in dormitories have an increased risk of getting meningococcal disease.  In order to get the disease the bacteria must enter the body and settle in the area around the brain and spinal cord. 

  1. Symptoms of meningococcal disease

Symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, alertness changes such as sleepiness or confusion and sensitivity of light. 

  1. Whom should you contact for more information or concerns?

Contact your Health Care Provider or our local health department at 794-1542.  You can go to the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/.