Menactra

Menactra is a vaccine used to prevent meningitis.

Menactra is given as a shot into muscle.

Common side effects of Menactra include tenderness, redness, and swelling at the injection site. 

Menactra is a vaccine used to prevent invasive meningococcal disease caused by N. meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y and W-135.

Menactra vaccine is approved for use in individuals 9 months through 55 years of age.

Menactra vaccine does not prevent N. meningitidis serogroup B disease.

Menactra is given by a healthcare provider as a shot into the muscle.

• In children 9 through 23 months of age, Menactra vaccine is given as a 2-dose series three months apart.
• Individuals 2 through 55 years of age, Menactra vaccine is given as a single dose.

Booster immunization:

• A single booster dose may be given to individuals 15 through 55 years of age at continued risk for meningococcal disease, if at least 4 years have elapsed since the prior dose.

Serious side effects have been reported with Menactra including the following:

• Allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider about any signs or symptoms of allergic reactions, which include the following:
  • chest pain
  • swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • rash
• Fainting. Fainting can occur in association with administration of Menactra.
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Those who have been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, may be at a higher risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome after receiving Menactra.
• Limitations of vaccine effectiveness. Vaccination with Menactra may not protect all individuals.
• Altered immunocompetence. If Menactra is administered to those receiving immunosuppressant therapy, the expected immune response may not be obtained.

Do not get Menactra if you or your child had a severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of a meningococcal capsular polysaccharide-, diphtheria toxoid- or CRM197-containing vaccine, or to any component of Menactra vaccine.

Side effects reported with Menactra in persons aged 9 months through 12 months old include:

• tenderness, redness, and swelling at the injection site
• irritability
• abnormal crying
• drowsiness
• loss of appetite
• vomiting 
• fever

Side effects reported with Menactra in persons aged 2 through 55 years old include:

• pain, redness, hardening, and swelling at the injection site
• diarrhea
• decrease in appetite
• drowsiness (ages 2-10 years of age)
• irritability (ages 2-10 years of age)
• joint pain (ages 11-55 years of age)
• headache (ages 11-55 years of age)
• fatigue (ages 11-55 years of age)
• a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness (malaise) (ages 11-55 years of age)

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or unusual symptoms after you receive Menactra. For a complete list of side effects, ask your health care provider.

To report suspected adverse reactions, contact VAERS at 1-800-822-7967 or http://vaers.hhs.gov.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take or have received:

• immunosuppressive therapies, including irradiation, antimetabolites, alkylating agents, cytotoxic drugs and corticosteroids
• another vaccine

This is not a complete list of Menactra drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Menactra falls into category C. No studies have been conducted in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Menactra should only be given to a pregnant woman if clearly needed. 

Tell your doctor is you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

It is not known if Menactra crosses into human milk. Because some vaccines can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this vaccine, caution should be exercised when Menactra vaccine is administered to a nursing woman.