Meningitis Vaccination Information

There is no vaccine against viral meningitis. Three types of vaccines help prevent bacterial meningitis, and most states require residents to receive one or more of those vaccines. The vaccines against Neisseria meningitides, Haemophilus influenza type b and Streptococcus pneumoniae each get administered according to different schedules. Knowing when to get vaccinated and what to expect from vaccines are important for avoiding infections of the fluid around the brain and spinal cord.

Meningococcal Vaccine

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all adolescents and teens between the ages of 11 and 18 years receive meningococcal conjugate vaccine, which is abbreviated MCV4 because it provides protection against four strains of N. meningitides. The agency also recommends that children between the ages of 2 and 10 years receive MCV4 if those children travel to or reside in a country where meningitis occurs frequently, if they have had their spleen removed, or if they have an immune system disorder called terminal complement deficiency. Adults who did not get immunized against N. meningitides as children or teens should receive either MCV4 or meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine if they live in a college dormitory, enlist in the armed services, have their spleen removed, work with N. meningitides in laboratory settings, or travel to or live in countries where meningitis is endemic or epidemic.

  Adults may receive a booster dose of meningococcal vaccine after five years. The most significant risk from receiving meningococcal vaccine is Guillain-Barré syndrome, which causes difficulties with breathing and walking, the inability to control facial and jaw muscles, tingling and sever lower back pain.

Haemophilus Influenza Type b Vaccine

• Generally, only infants should get vaccinated against Haemophilus influenza type b, which is usually abbreviated as Hib. The bacterium rarely causes disease in anyone older than 6 years, so the CDC only recommends routine Hib vaccinations for children between the ages of 2 and 15 months. Infants should receive a total of four Hib vaccine doses. Older children and adults who were not vaccinated when younger may receive Hib vaccine if they have HIV/AIDS, have had their spleen removed, had a bone marrow transplant or are undergoing chemotherapy.

Pneumococcal Vaccines

• Two kinds of vaccines against S. pneumoniae infection exist. The first protects recipients against seven strain of pneumococcal bacteria and is recommended by the CDC for all children younger than 5 years of age. The second pneumococcal vaccine protects against 23 strains of S. pneumoniae. CDC recommends the more-potent pneumococcal vaccine for all people older than 65 years and for anyone older than two years of age who has cirrhosis, cochlear implants, diabetes, heart disease, leaking cerebrospinal fluid or lung disease.

  Infants should receive four doses of the less-potent pneumococcal vaccine. Adults can receive a booster dose of pneumococcal vaccine after 5 years. The CDC has received no reports of serious adverse reactions among people receiving the pneumococcal vaccine.

Vaccine Side Effects

• Many patients experience redness and swelling around the injection site and a fever after receiving a vaccine. These problems usually go away within two or three days, but if they persist or become intolerable, patients should contact their health care provider. Rarely, patients have allergic reactions to vaccines. Allergy symptoms include dizziness, fast heartbeat, hives, labored breathing and weakness.

State Requirements

• School-age children must receive the Hib vaccination in every state but Alabama, Montana and South Dakota. Similarly, 36 states require meningococcal vaccine prior to college enrollment, and another 18 states require meningococcal vaccine for middle school or high school enrollment. Children in 30 states must receive the vaccine that provides protection against seven strains of S. pneumoniae, and residents of long-term care facilities in 25 states must receive the vaccine that provides protection against 23 strains of S. pneumoniae. To see what your states requires, click on the state laws link below.