Meningococcal Conjugate-ACYW-135 (Men-C-ACYW) Vaccine

How meningococcal infections spread

Meningococcal bacteria are common. They live in the back of the nose and throat in about 1 in 5 people. Usually, the bacteria do not make people sick. However, in some cases the bacteria can cause serious illness.

The bacteria spreads through close contact with saliva, usually through:

coughing
sneezing
kissing
sharing things that have been in the mouth of a person who has the disease, such as food, drinks, water bottles, musical instrument mouthpieces, or lip gloss

Protect against infection!

Symptoms

The earliest signs are:

fever
tiredness
decreased consciousness

Other signs might include:

severe headache
vomiting
stiff neck
pain when moving the head and neck
red spots on the skin that appear but do not disappear when pressed

Symptoms can become serious and life-threatening very quickly, sometimes within hours.

Getting the vaccine

You should vaccinate your child because:

The vaccine works very well when given just before or early in the teenage years.
Teenagers are more likely to try activities that increase the risk of infection. This is why it is important that youth get the vaccine before this stage.
The law requires that students in grades 7 - 12 are required to have this vaccine to go to school. Many colleges and universities need proof of having this vaccine as well.
This vaccine is recommended for travel to some countries.

Note: This vaccine is different from the meningococcal-C vaccine given at one year of age.

Who should not get the vaccine

Students should see their doctor for possible vaccination if they have:

a history of a bad reaction after getting a vaccine
an allergy to tetanus or diphtheria toxoid

Deciding not to get vaccinated

This vaccine is required by law. Students who are not vaccinated can be suspended from school. Your student could be at risk of getting meningitis if you decide not to vaccinate.

Parents who choose not to vaccinate for:	Must do the following:
personal choice	complete an exemption form have the legal document notarized attend a vaccine education session with the Halton Region Health Department bring the forms to the Halton Region Health Department
medical reasons	have a doctor fill out a medical exemption form bring the form to the Halton Region Health Department

Risk of the infection vs. risk of vaccine

Risks of measles, mumps, and rubella	Risks of getting the vaccine
Brain can swell, causing permanent hearing loss, seizures or learning disabilities. Blood infection can cause shock and organ failure. Other infections of the lungs, joints, bones, heart and skin. Death rate occurs 1 in every 10 in severe cases.	Up to 60 per cent of people get a sore arm. Up to 60 per cent of people feel fatigue. Serious adverse events are very rare.

Preparing your child for vaccination

Talk to your child about the vaccine.
Complete and return the consent form.
Review helpful ways to deal with fear or anxiety (count to ten, look away from needle, focus on breathing).
Make sure your child eats on clinic day.
Make sure your child wears a short sleeve shirt on clinic day.