Meningococcal Disease Fact Sheet
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Meningococcal disease is a rare, serious illness caused by a bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis).
It can cause meningitis, which is an infection of the brain and spinal cord, and it can also
cause blood infections.
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Up to one out of seven (10-14 percent) of those who get the disease will die.
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Of those who survive, up to one out of five will have permanent disabilities, such as
deafness, brain damage, loss of limbs, or seizures.
Symptoms
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Symptoms can include:
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High fever
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Headache
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Stiff neck
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Confusion
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Nausea
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Sensitivity to light
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Vomiting
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Exhaustion
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If a person has a blood infection,
a rash may also develop
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A person may become seriously ill very
quickly.
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If you have these symptoms, contact your
doctor immediately.
How long does it take for symptoms to
show up?
▪
▪
It takes about 1-10 days to see symptoms
after you are infected, but some people
will not have symptoms.
When symptoms start, they come on
quickly and the person may get very sick
very fast.
Meningococcal Disease Fact Sheet
Transmission
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Meningococcal disease is spread by
contact with secretions from the nose and
throat.
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It could be spread through things like
kissing, sharing silverware or lipstick,
drinking directly from the same container,
coughing, and having close social contact.
▪
It is not spread through casual contact,
such as being in the same room or
touching the same object.
Who is at risk
▪
In general, the risk of becoming infected
with meningococcal disease is low, but
anyone can get it. However, some people
are at increased risk, such as:
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People who have an immune disorder
called complement component
deficiency or who take Solaris.
▪
People with a damaged spleen or
whose spleen has been removed.
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Lab personnel who work with the
meningococcal bacteria.
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People who travel to areas of the
world where meningococcal disease is
common.
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U.S. military recruits.
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First year college students who live in
residential housing.
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Household and other contacts of a
meningococcal case.
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MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE FACT SHEET
Protect yourself from
meningococcal disease
▪
Who should get vaccinated
▪
Avoid sharing things like silverware,
drinking containers, lipstick, cigarettes,
etc.
▪
▪ Get vaccinated!
Types of meningococcal vaccine
There are several types of vaccine that
protect against meningococcal disease.
Vaccines are recommended based on the age
of a person and based on factors that
increase the risk of getting meningococcal
disease.
▪
Quadrivalent (4-strain) meningococcal
conjugate vaccine (MenACYW): The
quadrivalent vaccine protects against four
strains, also called serogroups, A, C, Y and
W and is generally used for persons
through age 55 years.
▪
Quadrivalent polysaccharide
meningococcal vaccine (MPSV4): MPSV4
protects against the same four serogroups
A, C, Y and W and is used for persons over
age 55 years.
▪
Bi-valent (2-strain) vaccine (MenCY): MenCY
protects against serogroups C and Y is only
used for infants. This vaccine is combined
with another commonly given vaccine,
Haemophilus influenza, type B or Hib and
is called Hib-MenCY.
▪
Meningococcal B vaccine (MenB): MenB
protects against serogroup B and is used
for persons 10 years and older.
All children should get a dose of
MenACYW at 11-12 years and a booster
dose at 16 years of age.
First year college students up to age
21 years who live in residential
housing should also get a dose of
MenACYW if they have not had a dose
since they turned 16.
▪
Adolescents and young adults age 16
through 23 years may choose to receive
the meningococcal B vaccine. They should
discuss this with their health care
provider.
▪
Both MenACYW and MenB are
recommended for certain children and
adults at risk for meningococcal disease
depending on their age. Talk to your
health care provider about the need for
one or both of these vaccines.
Free or low cost shots are available
Most insurance covers immunizations. Call
the number on the back of your insurance
card to find out more. If you do not have
insurance, or your insurance doesn't pay for
all shots, there are programs that can help.
Children from birth through age 18 years may
be eligible for free or low-cost shots through
the Minnesota Vaccines for Children program.
Check with your clinic to see if they
participate. Some clinics also provide free or
low-cost shots for adults age 19 years and
older. You can find a participating clinic on
the Vaccination Clinics Serving Uninsured and
Underinsured Adults website:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/
immunize/adultvax/clinicsearch.html.
For more information, contact:
Minnesota Department of Health
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414
www.health.state.mn.us
Meningococcal Disease Fact Sheet
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