Vaccine Types

Meningococcal

What is it?

Meningococcal disease is best known as a leading cause of bacterial meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal disease also causes widespread blood infection, or sepsis.

Meningococcal disease is spread by coming in contact with infected bodily fluids including coughing, sneezing, sharing drinks or kissing. Meningococcal disease is not as contagious as common infections, such as cold or flu, because the bacteria cannot live long outside the body.

Why is it important?

Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but babies under age one and adolescents between the ages of 16 and 21 are at higher risk of contracting the illness (See graph.)

Meningococcal disease is very serious. About 2,600 people get meningococcal disease each year in the U.S. Ten to five percent of these people die even with antibiotic treatment. Of those who live, another 11% to 19% lose their arms or legs, become deaf, have problems with their nervous systems, become intellectually disabled, or suffer seizures or strokes.

What is Meningitis?

A recent meningitis outbreak in Colorado has left Coloradans and parents wondering what meningitis is, and how we can prevent meningitis in children, adolescents and adults.

It is important to know that meningitis can be viral or bacterial.

Bacterial meningitis, or meningococcal meningitis, although rare, is the second most common form of meningitis. It is usually serious, and can be fatal if not treated quickly.

Bacterial meningitis is typically caused by one of three types of bacteria: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Neisseria meningitidis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Before the 1990's, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the leading cause of bacterical meningitis. Fortunately, routine Hib vaccination has greatly reduced the number of Hib cases and related bacterial meningitis infections. The two leading causes of bacterial meningitis today are Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. There are two types of vaccines available in the United States that protect against Neisseria meningitidis: meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine and meningococcal conjugate vaccine.

Viral meningitis, also called aseptic meningitis, is the most common form of meningitis. Viral meningitis is typically mild and is rarely fatal in persons with healthy immune systems. Viral meningitis is usually caused by enteroviruses, but can also result from other viral infections including mumps, herpes virus, varicella-zoster (chickenpox and shingles), measles and influenza. Currently, there is no vaccine to protect against viral meningitis; however, some vaccines on the recommended childhood schedule, such as MMR and varicella-zoster, can help protect against infections that may lead to viral meningitis.

Vaccine Recommendations

Meningococcal vaccines protect against most types of meningitis, but they do not prevent all cases.

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for people 11 – 54 years of age, as well as certain high-risk children from ages nine months through ten years. Adolescents should receive the first dose at 11 or 12 years of age, with a booster at age 16 to 18 years.

The CDC also recommends that high-risk adults, including college freshmen living in a dormitory, receive a meningococcal vaccine.

Side Effects

The risk of the meningococcal vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

As many as half the 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.

Influenza

Influenza

Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral upper respiratory illness. Flu may be complicated by other risk factors, including pneumonia. [+] more
Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects the liver and is primarily spread through blood and bodily fluids. Acute HBV infection can lead to chronic HBV and liver damage. [+] more
Polio

Polio

Poliomyselitis (polio) is an extremely contagious viral infection that affects the nerve cells of the brain stem and spinal cord and can lead to paralysis. [+] more
Diphtheria

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a bacterial respiratory illness that causes a thick covering in the back of the throat, leading to breathing problems, paralysis, or heart failure. [+] more
Rotavirus

Rotavirus

Rotavirus is a viral infection of the digestive track, and is the most common cause of severe diarrhea and vomiting in infants and young children. [+] more
Pneumococcal

Pneumococcal

Pneumococcal bacteria live in noses and throats of people of all ages. Pneumococcus can infect the middle ear, sinuses, lungs, central nervous system and bloodstream. [+] more
Measles

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious viral respiratory infection that causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms. [+] more
Mumps

Mumps

Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection that can affect many parts of the body. The hallmark sign of mumps is swelling of the salivary glands. [+] more
Rubella

Rubella

Rubella (German measles) is a contagious viral disease that can cause fever, rash, swollen glands and arthritis. Infection during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. [+] more
Tetanus

Tetanus

Tetanus (Lockjaw) is a bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and causes painful tightening of the muscles all over the body. It is spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. [+] more
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease. Pertussis causes violent coughing spells that make it hard to eat, drink or breathe, and is especially severe in young infants. [+] more
Chickenpox

Chickenpox

Varicella (Chickenpox) is a highly contagious viral infection characterized by a blistering rash that can cover the entire body. Complications include skin infections, pneumonia and brain swelling. [+] more
Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A (HAV) virus attacks the liver, and is spread through stool of an infected person by direct contact or by contaminated food or drink. [+] more
Meningococcal

Meningococcal

Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (bacterial meningitis) and blood poisoning (septicemia), and requires immediate medical attention. [+] more
Hib

Hib

Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) bacterium can infect a child’s skin, joints, bones and ears. Hib can lead to a variety of infections including pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. [+] more
HPV

HPV

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. About 40 types of HPV can infect the genital areas of males and females. A few types can lead to cervical and other cancers. [+] more

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