IMMUNIZATION – YOUR BEST PROTECTION

Vaccines are the best way to protect against some very serious diseases.  There are 13 different types of meningococcal bacteria.  This vaccine provides protection against meningococcal disease types A, C, Y and W-135 in a single dose.  Approximately 298 cases of meningococcal disease occur annually in Canada, with an increase in activity every 10 – 15 years.  Rates of meningococcal disease vary throughout the world.

What is Meningococcal Disease?

Meningococcal disease is caused by a bacterium.  Infection can lead to meningitis (swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal cord), bacteremia and septicemia (infection of the blood stream), and other invasive infections.  There is about a 10% fatality rate in all forms of severe meningococcal disease.

How is Meningococcal Disease Spread?

Infection is spread most often by healthy carriers.  Healthy carriers do not develop symptoms of this disease, however spread the bacteria via secretions of the nose and throat to vulnerable individuals.

Who should receive the vaccine?

Individuals aged 2 – 55 years:

• travelling to a country where meningococcal disease commonly occurs

• with functional or anatomic asplenia

• with complement, properdin or factor D deficiency

• with immune system problems

• who are household and close contacts of a person diagnosed with meningococcal disease (not type C)

Who should not receive the vaccine?

• anyone who has an allergy to diphtheria toxoid, sodium phosphate, sodium chloride or any other component of the vaccine

• anyone who has a fever or a serious infection on the day of the injection

• anyone previously diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)

Note:  Pregnant or breastfeeding women should discuss the need for further vaccination with their doctor.

What to look for after the vaccination:

• redness, tenderness and/or swelling may occur where the needle was given and usually disappears within 1 to 2 days

• in infants and toddlers: irritability, crying, change in appetite, difficulty sleeping, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever

• rarely, allergic reactions such as hives, wheezing, or swelling of the face or mouth may occur.  If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately

Contact your doctor if you develop any symptoms that are severe or last more than a few days.  Please note that serious side effects are very unlikely to occur and the benefits of the vaccine are much greater than the risks.

For more information on this vaccine, contact one of the numbers below and ask to speak to a Public Health Nurse in the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program.