Meningitis, also called meningococcal disease, causes approximately 300 deaths in the United States each year, according to the New York State Department of Health. This bacterial infection affects the protective tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord and can cause life-threatening brain damage. People can protect themselves against developing this bacterial infection through receipt of one of the two meningitis shots available as of 2010: meningococcal conjugate vaccine, or MCV4, which is the preferred vaccine that can be administered to patients between the ages of 2 and 55; and meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, or MPSV4, which can be administered to patients over age 55. Patients should be aware of the after effects of the meningitis shot before receiving this immunization.
Injection Site Reaction
The most common after effect of the meningitis shot is a reaction at the injection site. Patients can experience mild pain or redness along the upper region of the arm at the vaccination site, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Though such side effects can occur in patients treated with either form of the meningitis shot, injection site reactions are more common in people who receive the MCV4 vaccine. Injection site discomfort is temporary and typically subsides within one to two days following vaccination.
Fever
A mild fever can develop as an after effect of the meningitis shot in treated patients, according to the National Meningitis Association. An increase in body temperature can lead to chills, sweating or mild headache pain in affected patients. This side effect can arise shortly after vaccination and may persist for up to two days.
Allergic Reaction
Infrequently, patients can experience a severe allergic reaction to the meningitis shot within a few minutes or hours of treatment, the CDC warns. Facial swelling, breathing difficulties, heart rate irregularities, hives, weakness or loss of consciousness can occur in patients experiencing a hypersensitive reaction to this vaccine. An allergic reaction can be life-threatening and requires immediate treatment from a medical professional.
