Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis, an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, or sepsis, an infection of the bloodstream. While meningococcal disease is not very common overall, it can be deadly and serious disability can occur in those infected. As such, preventing meningococcal disease through effective vaccines is extremely important.

What are Meningococcal Bacteria?

Meningococcal bacteria are normally found in the nose and throat of healthy carriers. However, in some cases the bacteria can invade the body and cause serious illness. There are several distinct serogroups of meningococcal bacteria that can cause disease, named by their protective sugar coatings: A, B, C, W, and Y. Globally, the most common disease-causing serogroups are A, B and C.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1,000 to 1,200 Americans get meningococcal disease each year and 10 to 15 percent of those who contract the disease die from it, despite treatment with antibiotics. Meningococcal disease kills approximately 10 to 15 percent of those infected even with treatment. Of those who survive, about 10 to 20 percent may suffer from permanent disabilities such as hearing loss, neurological damage or limb amputations.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Meningococcal Disease

It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease so that medical treatment can be sought quickly. Early symptoms may appear similar to the flu, including fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and stiff neck. A petechial or purpuric rash may appear later. Diagnosis involves isolating the bacteria from spinal fluid or blood samples. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is crucial as the illness can progress very rapidly and cause death within hours if left untreated.

Available Vaccines for Prevention

Fortunately, safe and effective vaccines are available to help prevent the most common strains of meningococcal disease. The CDC recommends routine vaccination against serogroups A, C, W and Y for all children and teens. Additionally, certain high-risk groups such as college freshman living in dormitories are recommended to receive vaccination against serogroup B as well.

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccines

Two different types of meningococcal conjugate vaccines are used in the US to help prevent meningococcal serogroups A, C, W and Y disease. Both vaccines contain polysaccharide (sugar molecules) from the meningococcal bacteria that are attached or conjugated to a protein to enhance the body's immune response. The two available conjugated vaccines are:

- Menactra (Sanofi Pasteur): Approved for ages 9 months-55 years. Provides protection against serogroups A, C, W and Y.

- Menveo (GlaxoSmithKline): Approved for ages 2-55 years. Provides protection against serogroups A, C, W and Y.

Both of these conjugate vaccines have been shown to be highly effective at preventing meningococcal disease from serogroups A, C, W and Y when given according to CDC recommendations. Side effects of the conjugate vaccines are generally mild, including soreness at the injection site and low-grade fever.

Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccines

There are also two serogroup B meningococcal vaccines available with slightly different approval ages:

- Bexsero (GlaxoSmithKline): Approved for ages 10-25 years. Provides protection against serogroup B meningococcal disease.

- Trumenba (Pfizer): Approved for ages 10-25 years. Provides protection against serogroup B meningococcal disease.

The serogroup B meningococcal vaccines work differently than the conjugate vaccines. Instead of targeting the polysaccharide capsule, they target unique proteins on the bacterial surface. Clinical trials have demonstrated high estimated effectiveness against serogroup B invasive meningococcal disease. However, vaccine-induced immunity from the serogroup B vaccines appears to require additional booster doses for optimal duration of protection. As such, a 2-dose series is recommended for Trumenba and a 2- or 3-dose series is recommended for Bexsero depending on age.

Importance of Adhering to Vaccination Recommendations

While meningococcal disease is rare in the United States, it strikes almost 1,000 Americans each year. Even with antibiotic treatment, it kills 10-15 percent of those infected. Survivors may be left with severe complications such as neurological damage or limb amputations in up to 20 percent of cases. As such, following CDC recommendations to vaccinate against meningococcal disease is crucial for protecting both individuals and communities. Parents should consult their child's pediatrician about recommended vaccination schedules. College students, military recruits and those with certain medical conditions should also ensure they receive appropriate meningococcal vaccination. By adhering to these recommendations, we can help decrease cases of meningococcal disease and its potentially devastating health impacts.

In conclusion, while meningococcal disease cannot be completely prevented, safe and effective vaccines exist that can help reduce cases drastically when widely used as part of routine vaccination programs. Following CDC meningococcal vaccination guidelines is critical for individual and public health protection from this serious bacterial illness. With vaccine-induced herd immunity, fewer opportunities exist for outbreaks to take hold. Understanding the importance of meningococcal disease prevention through vaccination is key.

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