New Meningitis Vaccine Guidelines

Recent developments in the world of vaccines have led to new and broader guidelines regarding meningitis vaccinations. A new meningitis vaccine marketed under the name Menactra by the pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur was licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration January 14, 2005. In May, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidelines for those who should be vaccinated.

The CDC now recommends routine vaccination of young adolescents with the new vaccine at the 11-12 year-old doctor's visit. For those who have not previously received the vaccine, vaccination is now recommended at about age 15 before entry into high school. Vaccination is still recommended for college freshman who live in dormitories because they are at higher risk for meningococcal disease compared with other people of the same age. The vaccine is given as an injection into the muscle in the arm as just one dose.

Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria that infect the bloodstream and the linings of the brain and spinal cord, causing serious illness and death. There are 2500 to 3000 cases of meningococcal disease in the United States each year. 10 to 14 percent of those who get meningococcal disease die and up to 20 percent have permanent disabilities such as mental retardation, hearing loss, or the loss of limbs.

Meningococcal disease often begins with nonspecific flu-like symptoms or migraine-type headache. However, the disease spreads quickly and within hours can cause organ failure, brain damage, severe limb disease requiring amputation, or death.

Teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable to the disease, accounting for nearly 30 percent of all cases in the United States. Freshmen living in dormitories are up to six times more likely to get the disease than other people. This is believed to be due to crowded living conditions as well as lifestyle factors.

Meningococcal disease is spread through air droplets as well as though direct contact with someone who is infected. The disease can be spread through coughing, kissing, and sharing cigarettes, utensils, cups, or lip balm. Meningococcal disease is most common in the late winter and early spring.

The new CDC guidelines for meningitis vaccines has been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which issued a policy statement agreeing with the guidelines.

Additional information about meningococcal disease and the meningitis vaccine can be found at the websites for the following organizations:
National Immunization Program
National Meningitis Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Meningitis Foundation of America
American College Health Association