Meningitis is a condition in which the meninges, which is a layer of tissue around the central nervous system, becomes inflamed. Meningitis can be caused by viral and bacterial infections. There is a vaccine for one form of bacterial meningitis, and it is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention because of the disease's severity and ability to affect young adults.
Meningococcal Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis can be the result of an infection with the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, the American College Health Association explains. This bacteria is the main culprit in cases of bacterial meningitis in young adults and older children. This infection, which is also known as meningococcal disease, can spread among college dormitories due to the high numbers of young adults living in close proximity.
Serotypes
The Neisseria meningitidis bacteria comes in many different strains or serotypes, which describes slightly different forms of the bacteria. However, five specific strains of this bacteria cause most cases of bacterial meningitis, the American College Health Association explains. These different strains are called A, B, C, Y and W-135.
Vaccine Types
There are two main vaccines for meningococcal meningitis, according to the Immunization Action Coalition. The older form is called MPSV4 and protects against A, C, Y, and W-135 strains of Neisseria meningitidis; this vaccine is still licensed for use in patients age 55 and older. The newer variety is called MCV4 and is more effective than MPSV4. It too protects against A, C, Y, and W-135 strains of Neisseria and is typically used to immunize people between 2 and 55 years old. There is currently no vaccine for the B strain of the bacteria.
Recommendations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that MCV4 be given to all adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18. The vaccine is particularly recommended for college students living in dormitories, recruits in the U.S. military and patients with a weakened immune system, including those with a damaged or removed spleen. Patients traveling to Africa or other areas where bacterial meningitis is common should also receive the vaccine.
Side Effects
The bacterial meningitis vaccine is generally safe. Many patients experience pain or redness at the site of injection, though these side effects typically go away after one to two days. Some patients also develop a mild fever. In rare cases, patients can have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. Allergic reactions typically manifest anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccine is administered. There have also been a few cases of patients developing a rare neurological disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome after receiving the MCV4 vaccine, though it is not known if the vaccine played a part in the disease's contraction.
