A bacterial type of meningitis, meningococcal meningitis, causes an inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes that cover both the brain and spinal cord. MedlinePlus points out that meningococcal meningitis is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children. Symptoms include a stiff neck, high fever, bruise-like areas with a purple color and a severe headache. The meningococcal meningitis vaccination can prevent the infection.
Types
In the United States, two types of meningococcal meningitis vaccinations exist: The first is the meningococcal conjugate vaccine, abbreviated as MCV4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prefers MCV4 for people between the ages of 2 and 55. The second meningococcal meningitis vaccination is the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, abbreviated as MPSV4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that MPSV4 is the only meningococcal vaccination for people over the age of 55.
Dosage
The dosage of the vaccination depends on the patient's age. For example, those over age 2 receive one dose of the vaccination. For those still at high risk after receiving their first meningococcal meningitis vaccination, their doctors may give them a second dose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that in special cases, children between the ages of 3 months and 2 years will receive two doses of MPSV4 at three months apart.
Recommendations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the meningococcal meningitis vaccination for people between the ages of 11 and 18, which they can get as part of their routine immunization. If a person does not get the meningococcal meningitis vaccination at that time, she should get it as soon as she can. MedlinePlus adds that certain people, such as college students, should have the vaccination to prevent epidemics. Other people who should get the meningococcal meningitis vaccination include travelers going to certain areas of the world such as Africa, those entering the military, those exposed to the Neisseria meningitidis for work, and patients with an immune system disorder or a ruptured spleen.
Effectiveness
MCV4 and MPSV4 protect people from four different types of the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the vaccinations are 90 percent effective, with MCV4 providing better protection than MPSV4. However, these vaccinations do not prevent against all types of the infection.
Side Effects
The meningococcal meningitis vaccinations may cause some side effects. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that some people may have redness or pain at the site of the injection, which may last 1 to 2 days; this side effect occurs more often with MCV4. Other mild side effects include a fever. Some people may have a severe allergic reaction soon after receiving the vaccination. While rare, a small percentage of people develop a neurological condition called Guillain-Barré after getting the vaccination. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explains that with this disorder, the immune system attacks some of the peripheral nervous system. Patients have weakness or altered sensations that starts in the legs and spreads to the upper body.
