Menactra Vaccine

Menactra Meningococcal Vaccine

On October 20, 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated a previous alert which announced that they are investigating the possibility of a link between Menactra Meningococcal Vaccine and Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). The investigation has found 15 confirmed cases of GBS in patients who had received the Menactra Meningococcal Vaccine manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur.

Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS)

• Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a neurological disorder that may require hospitalization.
• Symptoms typically include increased weakening in the legs and arms. In severe cases, paralysis may occur.
• Although most patients with GBS recover after a few weeks, some people suffer with these symptoms for months or years.
• In the most serious cases of paralysis, a patient may die from the disease.

Menactra Meningococcal Vaccine

• The Menactra vaccine was approved in January of 2005 to protect against bacterial meningitis.
• The vaccine is typically given to adolescents before high-school entry. It is also recommended for first-year college students living in dormitories.
• The FDA reports that more than 2.5 million doses of Menactra Meningococcal Vaccine have been administered in the U.S.

The 15 cases reported to the FDA that could possibly link GBS to the meningitis vaccine occurred in individuals who were between the ages of 11-19. Two additional cases were confirmed in adults over the age of 20.

These individuals developed symptoms within six weeks of receiving Menactra vaccine. All have recovered or are in the process of recovery.

These cases suggest a small increase risk of GBS following immunization with Menactra. However, officials cannot say with certainty that the reports of GBS were caused by the vaccine. Currently, there are no changes in recommendations for vaccination.

Because many vaccine adverse effects are not reported, the FDA suspects that there may be additional cases.

Note - Do not change medications without first consulting your doctor.

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