What Are The Side Effects From The Meningococcal Vaccines
With any vaccine, there is the potential of a severe allergic reaction within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot. But the likelihood that the meningococcal vaccines would cause a severe reaction is extremely slight.
About one out of every two people who get the shot experience mild reactions such as redness or a mild pain where the shot was given. Those usually go away in one to two days. A small percentage of people develop a mild fever.
There have been reports that a few people have been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome after receiving MCV4. But experts say it occurs so rarely that it’s not possible to tell if it’s related to the vaccine or coincidental.
What Are The Risks From Meningococcal Vaccines
Most people have mild side effects from the vaccine, such as redness or pain where the shot was given. A vaccine, like any medicine, may cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. This risk is extremely small. Getting the meningococcal vaccine is much safer than getting the disease.
You can learn more on the Vaccine Information Statements for meningococcal ACWY and meningococcal B.
Once I Submit My Documentation How Do I Know If It Has Been Approved
Students can log in to the myUH self-service account and access their student account. From the left-hand navigation menu, select “Student Center”. Any holds on a student’s account are always listed in the right-hand column of the Student Center page. The student can be assured that the documentation was approved once the “Bacterial Meningitis” hold is removed.
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Where Do I Send The Required Documentation
For faster processing, write your myUH ID number on the top right corner of each document submitted.
in your myUH self-service account.
*Note: Conscience Objector Affidavits from the Texas Department of State Health Services are NOT accepted through your myUH self-service account or by email or fax. These affidavits must be original documents submitted in person or by mail.
Guidance On Reporting Adverse Events Following Immunization
![[Full text] Meningococcal serogroups A, C, W](https://www.virusprotips.com/wp-content/uploads/full-text-meningococcal-serogroups-a-c-w-135-and-y-tetanus-toxoid.jpeg)
To ensure the ongoing safety of vaccines in Canada, reporting of AEFIs by vaccine providers and other clinicians is critical, and in some jurisdictions, reporting is mandatory under the law.
Vaccine providers are asked to report AEFIs, through local public health officials, and to check for specific AEFI reporting requirements in their province or territory. In general, any serious or unexpected adverse event felt to be temporally related to vaccination should be reported.
For additional information about AEFI reporting, please refer to Adverse events following immunization. For general vaccine safety information, refer to Vaccine safety and pharmacovigilance in Part 2.
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What Is Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease is caused by a type of bacteria. Some people get the germs that cause meningococcal disease, but dont get sick these people are called carriers. But others get meningococcal disease, which can cause serious infections. The most common are meningitis and septicemia.
Meningococcal meningitis is inflammation of the thin lining that covers the brain and spinal cord. Some common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Feeling confused
- Upset stomach and throwing up
Babies may have symptoms like being less active than usual, fussing, throwing up, and not wanting to eat.
Meningococcal septicemia is an infection of the bloodstream that causes bleeding into the skin and organs. Some common symptoms include:
- Fever and chills
- Throwing up and diarrhea
- Cold hands and feet
- Severe aches or pain in the muscles, joints, chest, or stomach
As many as 1 in 5 people who survive meningococcal disease will have long-term disabilities like hearing loss or brain damage.
Meningococcal bacteria spread through saliva or spit, usually through:
- Direct contact, like when a person who has the bacteria in their nose or throat coughs on or kisses someone
- Ongoing contact, like living with a person who has the disease
Meningococcal vaccines are also recommended for people at increased risk for meningococcal disease. This may include people who:
MenACWY vaccine
The MenACWY vaccine is recommended for:
MenB vaccine
Talk with your doctor about how to protect your family from meningococcal disease.
Managing Fever After Meningococcal Acwy Immunisation
Common side effects following immunisation are usually mild and temporary . Specific treatment is not usually required.
If fever is present, drinking extra fluids and not overdressing can help.
Although routine use of paracetamol after vaccination is not recommended , if fever is present, paracetamol can be given. Check the label for the correct dose according to your childs weight or speak with your pharmacist, especially when giving paracetamol to children.
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Common And Local Adverse Events
Conjugate meningococcal vaccines
Men-C-ACYW vaccines
Injection site reactions occur in up to 59% of vaccinees. Fever is reported in up to 5% of recipients and systemic reactions, such as headache and malaise, are reported in up to 60% of recipients.
Men-C-C vaccines
Mild reactions, including injection site reactions , occur in up to 50% of vaccine recipients. Irritability occurs in up to 80% of infants and fever in up to 9% when other vaccines were administered. Headaches and malaise occur in up to 10% of older children and adults. These reactions last no more than a few days.
Serogroup B Meningococcal vaccines
4CMenB vaccine
Solicited local and systemic reactions have been commonly reported in clinical trials and include injection site tenderness, induration, sleepiness and irritability. Higher rates of fever have been observed with simultaneous administration of 4CMenB vaccine and routine infant vaccines therefore, routine prophylactic administration of acetaminophen or separating 4CMenB vaccination from routine vaccination schedule has been proposed for preventing fever in infants and children up to three years of age.
MenB-fHBP vaccine
Solicited local and systemic reactions have been commonly reported in clinical trials and include injection site tenderness, induration and irritability.
What If I Am An International Student
Im an international student. Will a vaccination from my home country fulfill UHs requirement?
Yes, a vaccination record from a country outside the U.S. will meet the requirements. If the vaccination record is in a language other than English, we will need an English translation of the document.
How far in advance should I plan to arrive in the U.S.. in order to receive the vaccine/booster shot?
If you plan to receive the vaccine in the U.S., you should arrive no later than 2 weeks prior to the first day of classes. You must receive the vaccination at least 10 days before the first day of classes for the semester, and you will be required to wait 10 days after your vaccination date to move into campus housing.
As an international student, can I present medical documentation from my country in order to get an exemption due to medical reasons?
Unfortunately, the law requires that you visit a doctor in the U.S.. to be able to get an exemption for medical reasons. We recommend that you bring an English translation of your records with you, so that you can present them to a U.S. physician. You will need to make sure that your travel arrangements will give you sufficient time to visit a doctor in the U.S.
As an international student, how can I get an exemption for reasons of conscience?
You must follow the same guidelines and procedures outlined for domestic students. Please visit the Texas Department of State Health Services for more information.
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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.
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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Meningococcal Vaccine: Canadian Immunization Guide
For health professionals
Latest partial content update :
: The chapter has been updated to align with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization Statement : The Use of Bivalent Factor H Binding Protein Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccine for the Prevention of Meningococcal B Disease.
Updates include:
MenB-fHBP vaccine may be considered as an option for use in individuals 10 years of age and older in situations when a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine should be offered:
MenB-fHBP vaccine may be considered as an option for individuals 1025 years of age who are not at higher risk of meningococcal disease than the general population, but who wish to reduce their risk of invasive serogroup B meningococcal disease.
Last complete chapter revision: May 2015
What Happens If I Dont Provide The Necessary Documentation

- You will not be able to register for classes until the proper documentation is received.
- A registration hold will be placed on your myUH account, and a pending item will remain on your student checklist.
- For new students: This hold will prevent you from registering for classes at New Student Conferencesso students must fulfill this requirement before or upon arrival to their New Student Conference.
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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.
Preexposure Vaccination Against Meningococcal Infection In High
Infants 2 through 23 months of age with certain chronic medical conditions or treatment and those who will be traveling to or residing in areas where meningococcal infection is hyperendemic or epidemic are at increased risk for meningococcal infection and should receive routine primary and booster immunization against meningococcal serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135 infection using age-appropriate MenACWY vaccine. Routine vaccination against meningococcal serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135 infection not recommended in infants not at increased risk.
Children 2 through 10 years of age with certain chronic medical conditions or treatment and those who will be traveling to or residing in areas where meningococcal infection is hyperendemic or epidemic are at increased risk for meningococcal infection and should receive routine primary and booster immunization against meningococcal serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135 infection using MenACWY vaccine. Routine vaccination against meningococcal serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135 infection not recommended in children 2 through 10 years of age not at increased risk.
College freshmen living in residence halls are at increased risk for meningococcal infection and should receive at least 1 dose of MenACWY vaccine within 5 years before college entry. Preferred timing is on or after their 16th birthday if a dose was given prior to the 16th birthday, a booster dose should be given before enrollment.
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Review More Medical Resources
If youve got more abbreviations to decipher on your medical chart, weve got more resources for you. Check out a list of common blood test abbreviations that you may see in your next medical results. Or, if youre confused about your doctors instructions, read through a selection of prescription abbreviations to clear them up.
Other Vaccines That May Help
While theres currently no vaccine for viral meningitis, its believed several other routine vaccinations can help prevent it secondarily. Since meningitis can be a complication of other illnesses, being protected against them may lower your meningitis risk, too.
These vaccines include:
recommended for all children or adolescents. Others are only recommended for people considered high risk.
Heres a deeper dive into which vaccines are typically recommended per age group:
You are considered high risk for meningococcal disease if you:
- have functional or anatomic asplenia
- have an immune system disorder called persistent complement component deficiency
- take medications known as complement inhibitors, such as eculizumab
- , and any others where the meningococcal vaccine is recommended
- are a scientist who works with the meningococcus bacterium in a lab
- are a first-year college student living in a dorm or residence hall
- are a military recruit
Proof of up-to-date meningitis vaccination is often required for going to school, entering military service, and in some travel situations. These are considered high risk environments for infections like meningitis, as they put large groups of people in close quarters.
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Menacwy Vaccination Of Younger Children And Adults At Increased Risk
In certain situations, younger children and adults should receive MenACWY vaccines. Some people are at increased risk for serogroup A, C, W, or Y meningococcal disease due to
- Having certain medical conditions
Those who remain at increased risk need regular booster doses.
- For children under the age of 7 years, administer a booster dose 3 years after completion of the primary series and every 5 years thereafter.
- For children 7 years old or older and adults, administer a booster dose 5 years after completion of the primary series and every 5 years thereafter.
Persons New To Canada
Health care providers who see persons newly arrived in Canada should review the immunization status and update immunization for these individuals. Review of meningococcal vaccination status is particularly important for persons from areas of the world where sickle cell disease is present as persons with sickle cell disease are at risk of serious meningococcal infections. In many countries outside of Canada, conjugate meningococcal vaccines are in limited use. Information on vaccination schedules in other countries can be found on the World Health Organization website. Refer to Immunization of Persons New to Canada in Part 3 for additional general information.
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What Are The Risks Of Gbs With The Mcv4 Vaccine
Between 2005 and 2012, more than 18 million doses of MCV4 were distributed. It’s uncertain how many of those have actually been given. In that same time period, there have been 99 confirmed cases of GBS, a serious nervous system disorder, reported within six weeks of the vaccine being taken. There is not enough data at this time to tell whether or not the vaccine was a factor. But analysis of the data suggests that the incidence of GBS is no higher for people receiving the vaccine than the incidence of GBS in the general population.
Still, the timing of the onset of symptoms has raised concern. The CDC is continuing to study the issue and has recommended that people be told about the study when they are considering the vaccine. The current opinion is that even if there is a slight increase in the risk of GBS, it’s significantly outweighed by the risk of meningococcal disease without the vaccine.
Talk to your doctor if you have any further concerns about the vaccine and GBS.
Show Sources
Pediatrics, published online Feb. 1, 2011. CDC web site: “Meningitis Questions & Answers,” “Meningococcal Vaccines: What You Need to Know,” “Meningococcal Vaccination,” “Vaccines and Preventable Diseases: Meningococcal: Who Needs to Be Vaccinated?” “Meningococcal vaccine side-effects,” “GBS and Menactra Meningococcal Vaccine.”
VaccineInformation.org: “Meningococcal Disease Vaccine.”
When Are Meningococcal Vaccines Given

Vaccination with MenACWY is recommended:
- when kids are 11 or 12 years old, with a booster given at age 16
- for teens 1318 years old who haven’t been vaccinated yet
Those who have their first dose between the ages of 1315 should get a booster dose between the ages of 1618. Teens who get their first dose after age 16 won’t need a booster dose.
Kids and teens who are at higher risk for meningococcal disease need the full series of MenACWY vaccines, even if they’re younger than 11 years old. This includes kids who:
- live in or travel to countries where the disease is common
- are present during an outbreak of the disease
- have some kinds of immune disorders. If the immune disorders are chronic, these kids also need a booster dose a few years later, depending on their age at the first dose.
The sequence and dosage depends on the child’s age, medical condition, and vaccine brand. Some types of meningococcal vaccines can be given as early as 8 weeks of age.
Kids 10 years and older with these risk factors also should get the MenB vaccine. They’ll need 2 or 3 doses depending on the brand. They might need more booster doses as long as the risk factor remains.
For those without risk factors, the decision to receive the MenB vaccine should be made together by teens, their parents, and the doctor. For them, the preferred age range is 1618 years. Usually, they need 2 doses.
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