New Vaccine Against Meningococcal Disease Now Available For Preteens, Teens And Others (NAPSA)—Thereis encourag- ranging between 1,000 and 3,000 ease and a leading cause of bacte- adolescents remain at risk for the disease. The characteristics and distrib- cases per year, and millions of ing news in the continuing battle to prevent meningococcal disease, a frightening and devastating disrial meningitis. ution of meningococcal disease are [Meningococcal (Groups A, C, Y and W-135) Oligosaccharide Diphtheria CRM,5, Conjugate Vaccine] has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for majority of disease cases from constantly changing, so it is impossible to determine which A new vaccine called Menveo individuals 11 through 55 years of age to prevent invasive meningo- coccal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups, or groups serogroups will result in the Help protect your loved ones from meningococcal disease; encourage them to get vaccinated. Copyright: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Judy Schmbit, 2008. year to year. Serogroups C, Y and 'W-135 are presently the leading causes of infection and death from meningococcal disease, accounting for approximately half ofall cases. Prevention A, C, Y and W-135. The majorityof impacttheir lives and requirelifeall meningococcal disease infec- long, expensive medical treatment tions are caused by five sero- and assistance. groups, four of which can be preAs manyasonein every 10 peovented bya vaccine. ple carry the bacterium that causes meningococcal disease. Despite cated effort by Novartis Vaccines. sick. Meningococcal disease is spread through direct contact with and recognize the importance of vaccination, because no adolescent Meningococcal Disease? Meningococcal disease, which is also a leading cause of sep- person. This can occur through coughing, kissing and sneezing. The disease progresses rapidly, and the early symptoms such as worse, die, from this devastating The new vaccine is an impor- tant milestone in 10 years of dedi- WhatIs ticemia, a blood infection, is feared because it is potentially lethal, initial symptoms are hard to diagnose and the disease can progress rapidly. Even with early and appropriate treatment, as many as one in every seven pa- tients who contract the disease will die from it, often within 24-48 meningococcal disease but are not the saliva or mucus of an infected fever, rash, headache and stiff neck are often mistaken for the flu. As a result, the disease is this fact, many adolescents re- main unvaccinated. It’s important that parents understand therisks should ever haveto suffer, or even disease,” said Keith S. Reisinger, M.D., Medical Director, Primary Physicians Research, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa. WhoShould Be Vaccinated? Currently, the Advisory Com- mittee on Immunization Practices, portant measure to help prevent ommends routine immunization tive. Vaccination is a very im- hours of onset of symptoms. gococcal disease survivors will suf- 500,000 cases of meningococcal effects such as limb amputation, deafness and neurological damage, which can dramatically resulting in about 50,000 deaths. fer permanent, devastating side effective approach to controlling often not diagnosed properly and treatment is delayed or ineffec- meningococcal disease. Is Your Family At Risk? Approximately one in five menin- ‘Vaccination remains the most. Each year, approximately disease occur around the world, In the United States, incidence of meningococcal disease is cyclical, a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rec- for all adolescents, 11-18 years of age, college freshmen living in dormitories and people in other high risk groups who are 2-10 or 19-55 yearsof age. For more information about meningococcal disease, visit www.meningitis.com. ee dose of Menveo, any componentof this vaceine, or any other CRM, diphtheria toxoid, or meningococeal-containing vaccine. Appropriate medical treatment mustbe available should an acute allergic reaction, inelusting an anaphylactic reaction, occur following administration of Menveo. Vaceinees may develop syncope, sometimes resulting in falling with injury. Observation for 15 minutes after vaccination is recommended. Patients who are immunocompromised or receiving immunosuppressive therapy may have an inadequate response to vaccination. Following vaccination with a US.-licensed meningococcal quadrivalent polysaecharicle conjugate vaccine, an evaluation ofpostmarketing adverse events suggested a potential for an increased risk of Guillain-Barr syndrome (GBS). Data are not available to evaluate the potential risk of GBS following administration ofMenveo. In clinical trials, the mostfrequently occurring adverse events in all subjects who received Menveo were pain at the injection site, headache, myalgia, malaise and nausea. Some events were severe. Safety has not been established in pregnant women.Vaccination with Menveo may not protect all individuals.
