Menactra Vaccine

• For active immunisation to prevent invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y and W-135.
• For use in individuals 9 months through 55 years of age.

• If you have had a severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, after a previous dose of this or any meningococcal or diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine.
• If your child is allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the vaccine's ingredients.

• Pain, tenderness, redness, swelling or hardening at the injection site
• Headache
• Tiredness and generalised weakness
• Muscle pain and joint pain
• Mild fever or chills
• In infants and young children, irritability, drowsiness, reduced appetite, diarrhoea and vomiting

• Dizziness
• Rash or itching
• Swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin
• Fainting or feeling faint around the time of the injection, usually related to the injection procedure rather than the vaccine itself

• Severe allergic reaction, with swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a widespread rash, a sudden drop in blood pressure or collapse
• New or progressive weakness, numbness or tingling that requires urgent assessment, including for possible Guillain-Barré syndrome
• A fit or seizure
• A fever that is high or that is not settling

Other General Warnings

• You have kidney disease or have had a kidney transplant.
• You have liver disease or a history of significant liver problems.
• You have ever been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), as this condition may recur after vaccination.
• You have a bleeding disorder or a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), as the vaccine is administered intramuscularly and may pose a risk of bleeding.
• You are taking immunosuppressive medication or have a weakened immune system due to illness or treatment; the vaccine may not be as effective for you.
• You or your child has a high fever or a moderate to severe illness on the day. Vaccination is usually postponed until recovery. A mild cold without fever is not a reason to delay.
• If you have no spleen, a poorly functioning spleen, or a condition affecting the complement system, your risk of meningococcal disease is much higher, and your doctor may recommend additional protection.

• A doctor or nurse gives Menactra injection. Do not self-inject this vaccine.
• It is given as a muscle injection preferably in the anterolateral thigh or deltoid region depending on the recipient's age and muscle mass It must never be given into a vein.
• Younger children may need more than one dose for full protection. Older children and adults are usually given a single dose. A booster may be offered to people who remain at continuing risk of meningococcal disease. Your doctor will set the schedule and the intervals.
• Tell the doctor or nurse before the injection about any allergy, any fever on the day, any bleeding problem, and any medicine that affects your immune system.
• Stay where you were vaccinated for a short observation period afterwards so staff can treat any immediate reaction.
• Follow the vaccination schedule your doctor advises and keep the vaccination record you receive.

• Store it in a refrigerator at 2-8 degrees C. Keep this out of children's sight.
• Do not freeze. Discard the vaccine if it has been frozen, even if it has thawed and looks normal.
• Store it in the original carton to protect it from light.
• Do not use the vaccine after its expiry date, if the packaging is damaged, or if the contents look unusual.
• Do not dispose of it in household waste or down a drain. The clinic or pharmacy disposes of vaccines and used syringes.

• Menactra vaccine is recommended for individuals between 9 months and 55 years of age.
• The Menactra vaccine protects against meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135, but not serogroup B.
• Menactra vaccine is given by intramuscular injection, preferably in the anterolateral thigh or deltoid region, depending on the recipient's age and muscle mass
• Common side effects include pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, along with irritability, tiredness, headache, nausea, or diarrhea.
• Serious allergic reactions are rare, but you should seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms like swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing.
• Protection takes time to build after vaccination, so plan ahead for travel or other situations that raise your risk, rather than waiting until the last moment.
• Meningococcal disease moves quickly. Seek medical help urgently for a severe headache with a stiff neck, dislike of bright light, drowsiness or confusion, or a rash that does not fade when pressed - even if you have been vaccinated.
• Vaccination does not replace other precautions. It covers four groups of the bacterium, not every cause of meningitis.
• Move the vaccinated arm normally and apply a cool compress if the site is sore. Ask your doctor before taking a painkiller, and do not take one beforehand just to prevent side effects.
• Keep your vaccination record and bring it to your next appointment, particularly if a booster may be due.

Overdose

Missed a Dose

Interactions with other medicines

• Tell your doctor about all medicines, supplements, and herbal products you are taking, and about any vaccine you have had recently or are due to receive.
• Other vaccines: Menactra can generally be given at the same visit as other vaccines, but inject each at a separate site, preferably in a different limb.
• Blood-thinning medicines and low platelet counts: these can increase bleeding or bruising at the injection site. Tell the doctor or nurse before vaccination.
• Medicines that suppress the immune system may reduce the vaccine's effectiveness. Your doctor will assess whether an underlying illness warrants delaying it.

Interactions with food items