In the United States, meningococcal disease is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children between the ages of 2 and 18, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Patients who are immunized with a meningococcal vaccine are at a significantly decreased risk of developing this potentially life-threatening bacterial infection. There are two types of bacterial meningitis vaccines: MCV4, which can be administered to patients between the ages of 2 and 55, and MPSV4, which can be administered to patients over the age of 55. It is important for patients to discuss the symptoms and side effects of this vaccine with a doctor before being vaccinated.
Injection Site Reaction
The most common side effect of the meningococcal vaccine is an injection site reaction. Over half of all vaccinated patients experience some type of mild reaction at the injection site, explains the CDC. Symptoms of a bacterial meningitis vaccine injection reaction include skin redness, swelling, tenderness or pain. These side effects typically occur immediately after the vaccination is administered and may persist for one to two days. Patients who experience severe or prolonged injection site reactions after immunization should contact a doctor for further evaluation and care.
Flu-Like Symptoms
After receiving this vaccine, patients can develop flu-like symptoms as a side effect of treatment. These flu-like symptoms can include headache, fever, body aches or unusual fatigue, which may persist for several days after vaccination. Report high fever symptoms that occur after immunization to a medical professional as soon as possible.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Patients who receive the bacterial meningitis vaccine may be at an increased risk of developing Guillain-Barré syndrome, or GBS, an inflammatory disease that leads to the degeneration of nerves within the body. The CDC reports that, as of February 25, 2008, 26 confirmed cases of GBS have been reported in patients within six weeks of receiving the MCV4 vaccine. Symptoms of GBS can be life-threatening and include muscle weakness, poor reflexes and respiratory difficulties. Though the direct link between the administration of this vaccine and the emergence of GBS symptoms remains unclear, CDC health officials advise that patients with a history of GBS should not receive this vaccine.
Allergic Reaction
Infrequently, certain patients receiving the meningococcal vaccine experience a severe allergic reaction following treatment. Allergic reaction symptoms can include hives, breathing difficulties, heart rate abnormalities, dizziness, wheezing, weakness or pale skin. These symptoms of an allergic reaction to this vaccine typically occur within several minutes or hours following vaccination and require immediate, emergency medical attention.
