In terms of medical history,
vaccine for meningitis is relatively new. Meningitis continues to persist
as a serious health concern in many parts of the world, including the western
hemisphere. Teenagers or others, vaccinated for meningitis as children, may
feel that they are safe from this disease. Unfortunately, at this time, that
may not be the case.
The current, high incidence of
meningitis among teenagers, suggests that those who have had meningitis vaccine
previously, may need to have their immunization up-dated, as the level of
protection from their original, childhood vaccination may have decreased, in
terms of its effectiveness. In other words, there are teenagers who may no
longer have proper protection from meningitis.
Teenagers never vaccinated for
meningitis, need meningitis vaccine to protect themselves and others from this
disease.
Teenagers are particularly
vulnerable because of the large numbers who are living together or attending
school, high school, college or university. Teens, as well as others, should be
aware that the long-term effects suffered by anyone who contacts meningitis are
serious and could be life threatening. Re-vaccination or vaccination for
meningitis is an appropriate option for teenagers or even their parents to
consider at this time.
One of the reasons is that
those who were vaccinated between 1974 and 1978 will have only been vaccinated
for one subtype of meningitis. There are five subtypes known to
exist. Between 1978 and 2005; those vaccinated at that time, will have received
the MPSV4 vaccine and not the MCV4 vaccine.
Look at the medical
history of meningitis vaccine. In the
year 1974, the first vaccine for meningitis licensed for use in the United States
Thus, meningococcal vaccine
underwent further development.
"A meningococcal conjugate
vaccine or "MCV4" (Menactra by sanofi pasteur) was licensed in
2005." (2)
The introduction of this more
recent vaccine, Menactra (MCV4), has proven to be more effective for the four
subtypes of meningitis. It lasts longer and appears to offer a higher level of
immunity or give added protection from the disease. (3)
"The MCV4 vaccine contains
Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A, C, Y and W-135 capsular polysaccharide
antigens individually conjugated to diphtheria toxoid protein. The vaccine does
not contain live bacteria." (4)
Those vaccinated with MCV4,
receive immunization against meningitis subtypes A, C. Y and W-135, but not
subtype B. MCV4 does not offer protection for the subtype B. There is no
vaccine for subtype B.
Teenagers or others, including
those vaccinated for meningitis as children, may now be vulnerable to possible
meningitis infection. The disease can spread to others. Thus, there is an
urgent need for the majority of teenagers to be re-vaccinated or at least to
have their original vaccination with the MCV4 vaccine.
What is meningitis and why is
it such a serious concern for teenagers?
"Meningitis is an
inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. People
sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is caused by a viral or
bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or
bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ
depending on the cause. Viral meningitis is less severe and clears up without
specific treatment. But bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result
in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities." (5)
MCV4 meningitis vaccine
protects a person against bacterial meningitis, but not viral meningitis.
The method of immunization is
injection into the muscles. Normally, only one dosage of MCV4 is required.
There are some instances when repeated dosages are given. This immunization is
currently recommended for teenagers, who are eleven to eighteen years of age.
This vaccine is not recommended for children under the age of two years or for
adults who are over the age of fifty-five. (6)
Redness, pain at the injection
site or fever lasting one to two days, are the possible side effects
experienced by approximately half of those who receive the vaccine. Allergic
reactions to this vaccine appear to be rare.
There has been a low incidence of
Guillain-Barre syndrome, reported after vaccination, but there have not been
enough cases to attribute this to the administration of the vaccine. MCV4 is
not recommended for those with this medical condition, patients who are
moderately to severely ill or anyone who has experienced previous allergic
reactions to meningococcal vaccines. (7)
All teenagers should ask their
doctors about the MCV4 vaccine. Others, who should contact their doctors about
being vaccinated or re-vaccinated with MCV4 vaccine, include the following: college
freshmen living in dormitories, individuals who have a damaged or missing
spleen; persons with an immune deficiency disorder, persons working with
meningococcus bacteria in laboratories, travelers to sub-Saharan Africa or
other countries where this vaccine is recommended, US military recruits, anyone
exposed to an outbreak of meningitis (8)
For teenagers or others, who have concerns or questions
about their current level of protection from meningitis, it may be a good time
to make a serious inquiry about meningitis immunization or re-immunization with
the MCV4 vaccine. Your health and that of others may depend on it.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
6. Op. Cit. qandavax.asp
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
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