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Meningococcal Vaccine

What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease happens when Neisseria meningitidis, a type of bacteria, causes an infection in someone. It spreads when people share spit or saliva, and roughly 1 in 10 people have this bacteria in their throat. Meningococcal bacteria causes problems when it spreads to other parts of the body.

The most common meningococcal infections are meningitis (brain/spinal cord infections) and bloodstream infections. These are serious infections that present with flu-like symptoms and quickly worsen. Even with treatment, about 10-15% of patients die, and 1-5% will live with long-term disabilities.

Luckily, meningococcal infections are entirely preventable and 3 vaccines (MenACWY, MenB, and MenABCWY) provide safe and effective treatment against them.

How does the meningococcal vaccine protect Southwest Florida?

In the United States, meningococcal disease is most commonly diagnosed in Children younger than 1, adolescents aged 16-23, and seniors 65 and older. Meningococcal vaccines are essential in protecting our youth and older residents from serious and preventable meningococcal infections.

Meningitis Vaccine FAQ

The CDC recommends that the following groups get meningococcal vaccines if they haven't already been vaccinated:

  • All preteens and teens
  • Children between the ages of 2 months and 10 years old at increased risk.
  • Adults 19 years and older at increased risk.

If you weren't vaccinated as a child, talk to your healthcare provider to learn if you're at increased risk and should schedule a vaccination.

People who receive a meningococcal vaccine often don't have any side effects. However people who do usually report the following:

MenACWY Vaccines:

  • Redness or soreness where the vaccine provider gave the shot
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Feeling tired

MenB and MenABCWY Vaccines:

  • Redness, soreness, or swelling where the vaccine provider gave the shot
  • Feeling tired
  • Headache
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Fever or chills
  • Nausea or diarrhea

It's important to remember that while you may experience inconvenient side effects, these vaccines provide safe and effective protection against meningococcal infections, which can kill or disable you.

Clinical pharmacists are available to answer your vaccine questions on Lee Health's MyChart portal.
Just follow the following path: Menu ->  Ask a Question -> Ask a Pharmacist

The information on this page was last verified in August of 2024.

For the latest updates on the Chickenpox Vaccine, check out the CDC's website on Vaccines and Preventable Diseases.

Schedule Vaccination

Protect yourself from preventable diseases!