What is Menveo?
Meningococcal disease is a serious infection caused by a bacteria. Meningococcal bacteria can infect the blood, spinal cord, and brain. These conditions can be fatal.
Meningococcal disease can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria can also be passed through contact with objects the infected person has touched, such as a door handle, or other surface. The bacteria can also be passed through kissing, or sharing a drinking glass or eating utensil with an infected person.
Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by meningococcal bacteria. The vaccine contains four of the most common types of meningococcal bacteria.
Meningococcal conjugate vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes your body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is for use in children and adults between the ages of 2 and 55 years old.
Like any vaccine, meningococcal conjugate vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Becoming infected with meningitis (infection of the spinal cord and lining of the brain) is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
What is the most important information I should know about Menveo?
Do not receive this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a meningococcal or a diphtheria vaccine, if you are allergic to latex rubber, or if you have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Before receiving meningococcal conjugate vaccine, tell your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, a weak immune system, or if you are receiving steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment. If you have any of these conditions, your vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all.
You may feel faint after receiving this vaccine. Some people have had seizure-like reactions after receiving this vaccine. Your doctor may want you to remain under observation during the first 15 minutes after the injection.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you ever need to receive another meningococcal vaccine in the future, you will need to tell the doctor if the first shot caused any side effects.
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you recover before receiving this vaccine.
Becoming infected with meningitis is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Like any vaccine, meningococcal conjugate vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Menveo?
Do not receive this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a diphtheria or a meningococcal vaccine, or if you have:
- a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome; or
- if you are allergic to latex rubber
If you have any of these other conditions, your vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all:
- a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia
- any condition that weakens the immune system (such as HIV, AIDS, or cancer); or
- if you are receiving steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive meningococcal conjugate vaccine, or you may need to wait until your condition changes or you have completed your treatments.
FDA pregnancy category C. This vaccine may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon after receiving the vaccine.
Your name may need to be listed on a registry of women who receive a meningococcal vaccine during pregnancy if you receive this vaccine while you are pregnant. The purpose of this registry is to track the outcome of your pregnancy and the birth of your child so that health department authorities are notified of any unwanted effects on the baby.
It is not known whether meningococcal conjugate vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The Menactra brand of this vaccine should not be given to anyone younger than 2 or older than 55 years of age. The Menveo brand should not be given to anyone younger than 11 or older than 55.
Edited from everydayhealth.com