New Immunizations

The FDA has recently approved a new immunization against meningococcal meningitis, called Menactra. Meningococcal meningitis is a highly contagious and often fatal infection that is often caught when people live in close quarters such as college dormitories, but there are also sporadic outbreaks in the public school systems. The peak incidence for meningococcal meningitis is during infancy and also the teen years. For about the last 10 years we have had an immunization against meningococcal meningitis called Menimune.

Menimmune has a limited duration of effect of about 5 years. Therefore we give it to people at highest risk, those entering college. Menactra is similar to Menimmune, except that its duration of effectiveness is much longer. Therefore, current immunization recommendations are to give this immunization to children ages 11-18 to protect them during middle school and high school as well as college. Children who get Menactra probably do not need to be re-immunized prior to entering college. Most colleges require immunization against meningococcal meningitis prior to entering school. Menactra is not a live vaccine and the side effects are minimal. All of the major insurance companies cover Menactra if they cover preventive immunizations. We hope to be also able to use Menactra in the future for infants but it is not yet approved for that use.

If you would like to receive Menactra, please call our office. Indicate that you are coming in for Menactra so that we can maintain an adequate supply.

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