Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Menactra A/C/Y/W135 (Meningococcal-vaccine).
Bleeding problems: There is a risk of increased bleeding or bruising when any intramuscular injection is given to a person who has a bleeding disorder or is taking medications to thin the blood. The safety and effectiveness of this vaccine have not been established for people with thrombocytopenia (low platelets) or bleeding disorders. If you have these conditions, discuss the risks and benefits of this vaccine with your doctor.
Fever: A doctor may decide to delay this vaccine if the person receiving the vaccine has an acute infection or fever. Mild infections without fever, such as colds, usually do not require delay of the vaccine.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS): Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a neurological disorder, has been rarely reported after this vaccine is given. If you have Guillain-Barre Syndrome, discuss with your doctor how Menactra A/C/Y/W135 (Meningococcal-vaccine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Menactra A/C/Y/W135 (Meningococcal-vaccine), and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience any weakness or tingling in the legs, arms, or upper body, contact your doctor.
Immune problems: When used for people with impaired immune systems, meningococcal vaccines may not create enough of an antibody response to protect against infections caused by these bacteria. Also, this vaccine may not be effective for people receiving immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., some medications used to treat cancer or for transplant recipients).
Latex allergy: The vial stoppers may contain latex. People with latex allergy should be monitored by their doctor after they receive this vaccine. The syringes do not contain latex.
Protection: This vaccine can only protect against the types of bacteria specific to this vaccine and, as with other vaccines, may not provide 100% protection for everyone who receives the vaccine.
Pregnancy: This vaccine should only be used during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. If you discover you were pregnant when you received this vaccine, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if meningococcal vaccine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are given this vaccine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding or wait until you have stopped breast-feeding to receive the vaccine.
Children: This safety and effectiveness of meningococcal vaccines have been established for children of varying ages, depending on the vaccine product and the conditions for which the vaccine is needed.
Seniors: The safety and effectiveness of this vaccine in people over the age of 55 have not been established.
