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Meningitis Vaccine Dangers

Meningitis is an infection that causes swelling of the meninges, which surround the spinal cord and brain. It can be caused by either a viral, bacterial or fungal infection, but viral meningitis is most common. Because of the possibility of serious and life-threatening complications, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people at high risk for contracting meningitis receive one of two vaccines that can prevent against the illness. The vaccines will prevent most, but not all, cases of the illness.

  1. At The Injection Site

    • According to the CDC, as many as half the people who receive the meningitis vaccine will develop some mild pain and redness at the injection site. In people who develop soreness, it usually disappears within a day or two of getting the shot.

    Other Side Effects

    • A small percentage of people who receive the meningitis vaccine will develop a mild fever as a side effect. This should not be any cause for concern, but if it is bothersome it can be treated with over-the-counter fever reducers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

    Severe Reactions

    • Severe reactions to the meningitis vaccine are very rare, but they do sometimes happen. Signs of an allergic reaction to the vaccine include wheezing, chest tightness, hives, difficulty breathing and swelling of the face and mouth. An allergic reaction typically develops between a few minutes or a few hours after receiving the vaccine. Other signs of a severe reaction include unusual behavior changes, weakness and a high fever. Any of these should be reported to your doctor immediately.

    Recommendations

    • The CDC includes the meningitis vaccine in its normal vaccination schedule for children. It is recommended that the vaccine be administered during a routing medical exam when a child is 11 or 12 years old. People at increased risk of meningitis should also receive the vaccine. These groups include college students who live in dorms, military recruits, biologists who work with meningococcal bacteria and people who have a damaged spleen or who have had their spleen removed.

    Types

    • There are two types of meningitis vaccine. The first, called meningococcal conugate vaccine, first came into use in 2005 and is recommended for people between the ages of 2 and 55. The other vaccine, called meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, has been used since the 1970s. It is the only vaccine approved for people older than 55.

    Meningitis Risks

    • Meningitis affects between 1,000 and 2,600 people in the United States each year, according to the CDC. Between 10 percent and 15 percent of all people who develop the infection will die, even when treated with antibiotics. In those who survive, between 10 percent and 20 percent experience such complications as deafness, loss of a limb, mental retardation, nervous system problems and strokes and seizures.

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