ABOUT
VACCINES |
|||||||
|
|
Meningococcal Vaccines What you need to know: 1.
What is meningococcal disease? Meningitis is an infection of fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. Meningococcal disease also causes blood infections. Complications of meningitis are loss of hearing, problems with the nervous systems, mental retardation, seizures or strokes. Anyone can get meningococcal disease. But it is most common in infants less than one year of age and people with certain medical conditions, such as lack of a spleen. About
1 out of every ten people who get the disease dies from it, and
many others are affected for life. This is why preventing the disease
through use of meningococcal vaccine is important for people at
highest risk. 2.
Meningococcal vaccine Meningococcal
polysacchride vaccine against 4 types of meningococcal diseases
(seroroups A,C,Y,W-135) is available in the U.S. 3.
Who should get meningococcal vaccine and when? Meningococcal vaccine is recommended for other people at increased risk for meningococcal disease: Microbiologists who are routinely exposed to meningococcal bacteria. Military recruits. Anyone traveling to, or living in, a part of the world where meningococcal disease is common, such as parts of Africa. Anyone who has a damaged spleen, or whose spleen has been removed. Anyone who has terminal complement component deficiency (an immune system disorder). People who might have been exposed to meningitis during an outbreak. How Many Doses? Adults
at risk should get 1 dose. Sometimes an additional dose is recommended
for people who remain at high risk. 4.
Some people should not get meningococcal vaccine or should wait. Anyone who has a severe (life threatening) allergy to any vaccine component should not get the vaccine. Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies. Anyone who is moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should probably wait until they recover. Safety
in pregnant women has not yet been established. It should be used
only if clearly needed. 5.
What are the risks from meningococcal vaccine? Mild problems Up to about half of people who get meningococcal vaccines have mild side effects, such as redness or pain where the shot was given. A small percentage of people who receive the vaccine develop a fever. Severe problems Serious
allergic reactions, within a few minutes to a few hours of the shot,
are very rare. 6.
What if there is a moderate or severe reaction? Any unusual condition, such as a high fever or behavior changes. Signs of a serious allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness. What should I do? Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away. Tell
your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when
the vaccination was given. 7.
How can I learn more? References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov (accessed February 2008) and Committee on Immunization, Philippine Society for Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (PSMID) & the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV). Handbook on Adult Immunization for Filipinos 2004.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
©
2008 L.Y.F. Vaccination & Medical Services, Inc. |
