What Age Do You Have Meningitis Vaccination

When To Get Vaccinated

The key to the meningitis vaccines is to make sure that your teen gets them at the right time. Your child may get the MCV4 vaccine if they are:

• Between 11 and 15 years old. After the initial MCV4 vaccine, your teen will get a booster shot after five years.
• After the age of 16. In this case, your teen wont need the booster shot. Important to note: Its better to get the vaccines earlier rather than later. This will help prevent meningitis during your teens high school years.
• First-year college students. This applies to those who havent received a diagnosis or missed their booster shots.
• Those deemed by a pediatrician to need extra protection. This is due to underlying illnesses. Examples include immune system disorders or a damaged spleen.

Technically, the MenB vaccine is approved for children over the age of 10. Your doctor might recommend a dose at a younger age if your child has immune system deficiencies. But MenB is usually taken around the age of 16. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends MenB shots for teens ages 16 to 18. However, it may be given to young adults up to 23 years old.

What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Meningococcal Vaccines

Some of the most common side effects are swelling, redness, and pain at the site of the injection, along with headache, fever, or tiredness. Serious problems, such as allergic reactions, are rare.

The meningococcal vaccines contains only a small piece of the germ, so it can’t cause meningococcal disease.

How Meningitis Is Spread

Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.

Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through:

• sneezing
• coughing
• kissing

Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves.

It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.

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Meningococcal Acwy Vaccine Side Effects

The meningococcal ACWY vaccine is effective and safe, although all medications can have unwanted side effects.

Side effects from this vaccine are uncommon and are usually mild, but may include:

• localised pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
• occasionally, an injection-site lump that may last many weeks
• low-grade temperature
• children being unsettled, irritable, tearful, or generally unhappy, drowsy and tired.

What Is The Mmr Vaccine

The MMR vaccine protects against the measles, mumps, and rubella . Its given as 2 shots when your child is 1 year old and again when they are 4- to 6 years old.

The measles cause fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. It can also cause ear infections and pneumonia. Measles can also lead to more serious problems, such as brain swelling and even death.

The mumps cause fever, headache, and painful swelling of one or both of the major saliva glands. Mumps can lead to meningitis and, very rarely, to brain swelling. Rarely, it can cause the testicles of boys or men to swell, which can make them unable to have children.

Rubella is also called the German measles. It causes a slight fever, a rash and swelling of the glands in the neck. Rubella can also cause brain swelling or a problem with bleeding.

If a pregnant woman catches rubella, it can cause her to lose her baby or have a baby who is blind or deaf, or has trouble learning.

Some people have suggested that the MMR vaccine causes autism. However, research has shown that there is no link between autism and childhood vaccinations.

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Types Of Routinely Administered Vaccines For Children

How vaccines work

Vaccines work by preparing the bodys immune system for future exposure to disease-causing viruses or bacteria. Vaccines contain antigens, which are weakened bacteria or viruses, or parts of bacteria or viruses, which mimic the disease-causing agents. As a result of vaccination, the bodys immune system thinks the antigens from the vaccine are foreign and shouldnt be in the body, but the antigens dont cause disease in the person receiving the vaccine. After receiving the vaccine, if the virus or bacteria that cause the real disease then enters the body in the future, the immune system is prepared and responds quickly and forcefully to attack the disease-causing agent to prevent the person from getting sick with the disease. Vaccines are frequently given by injection , but some are given by mouth and one is sprayed into the nose.

There are various types of vaccines that are routinely given to children

Attenuated live virusesThese vaccines contain a live virus that has been weakened during the manufacturing process so that they do not cause the actual disease in the person being vaccinated. However, because they contain a small amount of the weakened live virus, people with weakened immune systems should talk to their healthcare provider before receiving them. Examples include vaccines that prevent chickenpox and rotavirus and measles, mumps and rubella.

Why Is The Meningitis B Vaccine Not Recommended As Strongly As The Ac W Y Vaccine

In short: cost. Dr. Tan says theres a problem with formally recommending a meningitis B vaccination for every young person in the US. Were not infinitely rich. The resources to vaccinate every adolescent in our countryits immense. Its just not practical, he explains.

That said, the current recommendation isnt working either.

Weve got to figure out a way to manage this. Were depriving people of a very good vaccine who might want to get protected, Dr. Tan says. He places the blame on doctors who dont bring up the disease or the vaccine when they meet with their patients. Thats an implementation problem. If you fail to talk about B vaccine, youre failing your patients. need to have an internal policy where everybody agrees youre going to talk about the vaccine, Dr. Tan says.

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Look Out For Symptoms Of Meningitis

Even if you have the meningitis jab, “it doesn’t cover all strains of meningitis nor is every vaccine 100% effective,” says Donovan. “To protect yourself and your friends it’s still important to be aware of symptoms of meningitis.”

These include:

• Severe headache.
• A dislike of bright lights.
• Pale blotchy skin with spots or a rash – don’t wait for a rash before seeking help, as this can be a late sign, or may not appear at all

If you notice any of these symptoms, call your GP or go to A& E immediately. If meningitis is suspected you will be given antibiotics to fight the disease – the earlier these are given the better. In some cases, people in close contact with you might also be offered antibiotics to reduce risk of infection.Meningitis is often successfully treated – but it can take a while to recover from it. It seems the best cure really is prevention, so start thinking about getting the meningitis jab before going to uni.

Do you need the meningitis jab?

Is It Too Late To Get Vaccinated

The answer to this question isnt so clear-cut. If you have an unvaccinated teen headed off to college, there is still time for them to get their vaccines. Your child may also need another shot if they had the vaccine as a preteen. Meningitis vaccines are thought to only last for about five years, according to the Center for Young Womens Health.

Adults can also get the meningitis vaccine if their doctors recommend it. Certain situations can warrant the use of meningitis vaccinations. Examples include spleen removal, going to military camp, or traveling overseas.

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How Is Menactra Given

Menactra is given as an injection into a muscle.

Menactra is recommended if:

• you’ve been exposed to an outbreak of meningococcal disease

• you are in the military

• you work in a laboratory and are exposed to meningococcal bacteria

• you live in a dormitory or other group housing

• you live in or travel to an area where meningococcal disease is common

• you have a medical problem affecting your spleen, or your spleen has been removed

• you use a medicine called eculizumab or ravulizumab or

• you have an immune system disorder called “complement component deficiency.”

Menactra is usually given only once to adults and children 2 years and older. You may need a booster dose if you have a high risk of meningococcal infection and it has been at least 4 years since you last received this vaccine. Younger children will need to receive 2 doses.

Your booster schedule may be different. Follow the guidelines provided by your doctor or local health department.

Be sure to receive all recommended doses of Menactra or you may not be fully protected against disease.

There are other types of meningococcal vaccine available. When you receive a booster dose, make sure you are receiving a vaccine for meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, or Y and not for serogroup B.

Meningitis And Mmr Ensure You’re Vaccinated

3 December 2020

You can help support public health by making sure you’re vaccinated against meningitis and other infectious diseases.

With the coronavirus outbreak ongoing, public health is high on everyone’s agenda. If you’re able to join us on campus in September, you can help protect yourself and others from a number of other illnesses too by making sure you’re vaccinated.

Students can be more vulnerable to certain infections due to living closely with many others in student residences and mixing with large numbers of people, so now’s the time to stop and ask yourself, have I had my vaccinations?

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What Is Meningococcal Disease

Meningococcal disease is a serious illness caused by a bacterium. It can cause meningitis, which is an infection of the brain and spinal cord, and it can also cause blood infections. The infection can cause death or lifelong disability.

About 375 people get the disease each year, and about 10 to 15 out of 100 people infected with meningococcal disease die. Of those who survive, up to one out of five will have permanent disabilities, such as deafness, brain damage, loss of limbs, or seizures.

A person with meningococcal disease may become seriously ill very quickly. Antibiotics can treat meningococcal infections, but often cant be given soon enough to help.

Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but it is most common in infants less than 1 year of age. Teens are less likely to be infected than infants, but disease levels increase in adolescence starting around age 11, and peak around age 19 years.

Who Is At Most Risk For Meningococcal Disease

High-risk groups include anyone with a damaged spleen or whose spleen has been removed, those with persistent complement component deficiency , HIV infection, those traveling to countries where meningococcal disease is very common, microbiologists who routinely work with the bacteria and people who may have been exposed to meningococcal disease during an outbreak. People who live in certain settings such as college dormitories and military housing are also at greater risk of disease from some serotypes.

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Do Vaccines Have Side Effects

Some vaccines may cause mild, temporary side effects. This includes fever, soreness or a lump where the vaccine shot was given. Your family doctor will talk to you about possible side effects with certain vaccines.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about whether your child should receive a vaccine.

• Adolescents not at increased risk age 1623 years based on shared clinical decision-making:
• Bexsero: 2-dose series at least 1 month apart
• Trumenba: 2-dose series at least 6 months apart if dose 2 is administered earlier than 6 months, administer a 3rd dose at least 4 months after dose 2.

Special situations

Anatomic or functional asplenia , persistent complement component deficiency, complement inhibitor use:

• Bexsero: 2-dose series at least 1 month apart
• Trumenba: 3-dose series at 0, 12, 6 months

Bexsero and Trumenba are not interchangeable the same product should be used for all doses in a series. For MenB booster dose recommendations for groups listed under Special situations and in an outbreak setting and additional meningococcal vaccination information, see .

Who Should Get Meningococcal Vaccines

CDC recommends meningococcal vaccination for all preteens and teens. In certain situations, CDC also recommends other children and adults get meningococcal vaccines. Below is more information about which meningococcal vaccines, including booster shots, CDC recommends for people by age.

Talk to your or your childs clinician about what is best for your specific situation.

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How Does Meningitis Spread

Each form of meningitis spreads differently. Viral and bacterial will spread person-to-person through air droplets, kissing or nasal secretions. Fungal and parasitic are ususally cause by environmental factors.

Viral and bacterial are the most common variants. They are most often spread within communities that live or work together. Dorm living, close contact and shared facilities are some common risk areas.

Some regions of the world are at an increased risk for meningitis. These include the meningitis belt in Africa and Saudi Arabia during the Hajj.

Why Do Teens Need A Meningococcal Vaccine

Of the 1,000-2,600 people who get meningococcal disease each year, one-third are teens and young adults. Ten percent to 15% of those who get sick with the disease will die, even with antibiotic treatment. As many as 20% of the survivorswill have permanent side effects, such as hearing loss or brain damage.

The immunization can help prevent this serious disease.

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How Can I Protect My Child From Meningitis

Get vaccinated! Keeping up to date with recommended immunizations is the best defense against meningococcal disease. The CDC recommends that all teens and young adults ages 11-18 receive the meningitis vaccine, and some children as young as 6 weeks old who are at increased risk. Prevention is always best when it comes to vaccine-preventable diseases. Learn more about the meningitis vaccine for infants, children, teens and young adults.

Maintaining healthy habits, like getting plenty of rest, not sharing cups or water bottles, and not coming into close contact with people who are sick, can also help.

Persons With Chronic Diseases

Asplenia

Two doses of Men-C-ACYW vaccine are recommended for persons with anatomic or functional asplenia, including sickle cell disease. When elective splenectomy is planned, all recommended vaccines should ideally be completed at least 2 weeks before surgery if only one dose can be given before surgery, the second dose should be given 8 weeks after the first dose, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks. In the case of an emergency splenectomy, two doses of vaccine should ideally be given beginning 2 weeks after surgery but can be given earlier, before discharge, if the person might not return for vaccination after discharge. Persons one year of age and older with asplenia who have not received Men-C-ACYW vaccine should receive two doses administered 8 weeks apart, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks. In addition, 4CMenB or MenB-fHBP vaccine should be offered. Periodic booster doses with Men-C-ACYW vaccine are also recommended.

Refer to Table 1 for vaccination recommendations of high risk individuals due to underlying conditions. Refer to Booster doses and re-immunization for additional information and Immunization of Persons with Chronic Diseases in Part 3 for additional general information.

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Tetanus And Diphtheria Vaccine

Td is a two-in-one vaccine. It protects people against tetanus and diphtheria. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization strongly recommends that all Canadians receive a primary immunizing course of tetanus toxoid in childhood followed by routine booster doses every 10 years.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently introduced one lifetime dose of the pertussis vaccine for adults to the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario. All adults 19 to 64 years of age, who have never received the Tdap vaccine in adolescence, are now eligible to receive one lifetime dose of the vaccine. This lifetime dose replaces one of the Td booster doses given every 10 years.

Parents, grandparents or other adult household contacts of newborns, infants and young children as well as health care workers are considered a priority to receive the Tdap vaccine.

What is tetanus?

Tetanus or lockjaw is a serious disease that can happen if dirt with the tetanus germ gets into a cut in the skin. Tetanus germs are found everywhere, usually in soil, dust and manure. It does not spread from person to person. Tetanus causes cramping of the muscles in the neck, arms, leg and stomach, and painful convulsions which can be severe enough to break bones. Even with early treatment, tetanus kills two out of every 10 people who get it.

What is diphtheria?

Where Does Meningitis Occur

Some regions are more likely to have meningitis due to environmental or other factors. These higher risk zones include:

• The Meningitis Belt This region of sub-Saharan Africa has more meningitis cases than most of the world. Three countries, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Niger, account for 65 percent of meningitis cases in Africa. In some communities in the belt, one percent of the population will contract meningitis during an outbreak. The countries in the belt are : Gambia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea.
• Sub-Saharan Africa The rest of the region does have occasional outbreaks. Regions of note are Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Hajj PilgrimageSaudi Arabia has seen some outbreaks during the pilgrimage. Proof of vaccination is required for entry into the country during this time.

In Canada, dorms, schools or other areas with long-term close contact are sites of infection. Many educational centers now require proof of meningitis vaccination for enrolling.

Meningitis vaccinations are available at all Passport Health clinics. Call or make your appointment online now to schedule your appointment today.

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