Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is meningococcal disease?
2. Who should get meningococcal vaccine and when?
3. Who should not get the meningococcal vaccine or should wait?
4. What are the risks from meningococcal vaccine?
5. What if there is a serious reaction?
6. How can I learn more?
7. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

1. What is meningococcal disease?
   
   
   Meningococcal disease is a rare but life threatening illness, caused by the bacterium (germ), Neisseria meningitidis. It is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis (an infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings) in children 2-18 years old in the United States. The most severe form of the disease is meningococcemia, infection of the bloodstream by this bacterium. It also causes serious infections of other normally sterile body sites (e.g., joints). These Infections may lead to death.
   
   The meningococcus is spread by droplets or by direct contact. The meningococci are sprayed into the air through sneezing and coughing. Many people may carry the bacteria in their noses and throats, and they will not become ill -they are healthy carriers. These carriers can spread the germ to other people.
   
   Anyone can get meningococcal disease. But it is most common in infants less than one year of age, and in people with certain medical conditions. College freshmen, particularly those who live in dormitories or residence halls are at increased risk. Deaths from meningococcal disease have occurred among Maryland college students in recent years. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene encourages meningococcal vaccination of higher education students. About 2,600 people get meningococcal disease each year in the U.S. Ten to fifteen percent of these people die, in spite of treatment with antibiotics. Of those who live, another 10% lose their arms or legs, become deaf, have problems with their nervous systems, become mentally retarded, or suffer seizures or strokes.
   
   Symptoms to look for:
   • High fever
   • Nausea and vomiting
   • Severe headache
   • Stiffness and pains in the neck, shoulders, and back
   • Skin rash of small bright red spots
   Symptoms occur within 2-10 days (usually 3-4) days after the person has been exposed. Symptoms often begin suddenly.
   
   See a doctor immediately for treatment
   People who think they may have an infection due to the meningococcus should see a doctor immediately. Treatment with an antibiotic should be started right away to stop the infection from causing brain damage or death. Lab tests are needed to prove what kind of infection a person has.
   
   People in close contact with a case may need an antibiotic
   Check with your doctor or your local heath department for advice. Preventive treatment with certain antibiotics is recommended and should not be delayed. Your doctor or your local heath department will decide which medicine is best: in your situation.
   
   People in close contact may include:
   
   • Somebody who lives in the same house
   • A person who has contact with the patient's mouth or nose secretions, such as through kissing or by sharing cigarettes, or using the same eating and drinking utensils, glasses, and plates
   • A person who has done medical treatments like giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the- patient, or intubating or suctioning the patient
   • Children sharing toys, such as in group day care centers, family childcare homes, or in nurseries
   
   About the vaccine:
   A vaccine is available to prevent some types of meningococcal disease. Check with your doctor or your local heath department to see if you should get the vaccine. Meningococcal vaccine can be effective in preventing four types of meningococcal disease, groups A, C,Y and W-135. It can prevent 2 of the 3 important types of meningococcal disease in older children and adults. The vaccine is not effective in preventing all types of the disease, but it does help to protect many people who might become sick if they don't get the vaccine. Drugs such as penicillin can be used to treat meningococcal infection. Still, about one out of every ten people who get the disease dies from it, and many others are affected for life. This is why it is important that people with the highest risk for meningococcal disease get the vaccine. A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reaction. People should not get meningococcal vaccine if they have ever had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of meningococcal vaccine. Some people who get meningococcal vaccine have mild side effects, such as redness or pain where the shot was given (which is usually under the skin of the upper arm). A small percentage of people who receive the vaccine develop a fever. The vaccine may be given to pregnant women. The vaccine is available in some school health centers, travel clinics, some county health departments, and the offices of some health providers.
2. Who should get meningococcal vaccine and when?
   

   Meningococcal vaccine is not routinely recommended for most people. People who should get the vaccine include:

   • U. S. Military recruits;
   • People who might be affected during an outbreak of certain types of meningococcal disease;
   • Anyone traveling to, or living in, a part of the world where meningococcal disease is common, such as West Africa;
   • Anyone who has a damaged spleen, or whose spleen has been removed;
   • Anyone who has terminal complement component deficiency (an immune system disorder).

   
   The vaccine should also be considered for:

   • Some laboratory workers who are routinely exposed to the meningococcal bacteria.

The vaccine may also be given to college students who choose to be vaccinated. College freshmen, especially those who live in dormitories, and their parents should discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with their health care providers.

Meningococcal vaccine is usually not recommended for children under two years of age. But under special circumstances it may be given to infants as young as 3 months (the vaccine does not work as well in very young children). Ask your health care provider for details.

How many doses?

• For people 2 years of age and over: 1 dose . (Sometimes an additional dose is recommended for people who continue to be at high risk. Ask your provider.)
• For children 3 months to 2 years of age who need the vaccine: 2 doses, 3 months apart

3. Some people should not get the meningococcal vaccine or should wait

   People should not get meningococcal vaccine if they have ever had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine.

   People who are mildly ill at the time the shot is scheduled can still get meningococcal vaccine. People with moderate or severe illnesses should usually wait until they recover. Your provider can advise you.

   Meningococcal vaccine may be given to pregnant women.

4. What are the risks from meningococcal vaccine?

   A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of the meningococcal vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. Getting meningococcal vaccine is much safer than getting the disease.

   Mild problems
   Some people who get meningococcal vaccine have mild side effects, such as redness or pain where the shot was given. These symptoms usually last for 1-2 days. A small percentage of people who receive the vaccine develop a fever.

5. What if there is a serious reaction?

   What should I look for?

   Look for any unusual condition, such as a severe allergic reaction, high fever, or unusual behavior. If a serious allergic reaction occurred, it would happen within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot. Signs of a serious allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, weakness, hoarseness or wheezing, a fast heart beat, hives, dizziness, paleness, or swelling of the throat.

   What should I do?

   • Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away.
   • Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given.
   • Ask your health care provider to file a Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) form, or call VAERS yourself at 1-800-822- 7967.
6. How can I learn more?
   • Ask your doctor or nurse. They can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest oilier sources of information.
   • .Call your local or state health department's immunization program.
   • Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
     -Call 1-800-232-2522 (English)
     -Call 1-800-232-0233 (Espanol)
     -Visit the National Immunization Program's website at http://www.cdc.gov/nip
     -Visit the National Center for Infectious Disease's meningococcal disease website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm

7. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

   Effective June 1, 2000, Maryland law requires that an individual enrolled in an institution of higher education in Maryland who resides in on-campus student housing must be vaccinated against meningococcal disease. An individual may be exempt from this requirement if (1) the institution of higher education provides the individual or the individual's parent or guardian if the individual is a minor (under 18 years of age) detailed information on the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the availability and effectiveness of any vaccine, and (2) the individual or a minor individual's parent or guardian signs a waiver stating that the individual or the parent or guardian has received and reviewed the information provided and has chosen that the individual will not be vaccinated against meningococcal disease.