A new vaccine licensed for young teens and those entering college can help prevent meningococcal disease, a serious bacterial infection, and is being supported by the MCG Children’s Medical Center.

"Menactra, or MV4, is a new meningococcal vaccine that is recommended for those ages 11 and 12, those age 15 or who are entering high school, and those entering college or planning to study overseas," said Dr. Dennis Murray, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the MCG Children’s Medical Center. "It also has the support of professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians." Menactra is the first meningococcal vaccine to be routinely recommended for this population.

Young people, particularly those in close contact such as in a school or dorm setting, may have an increased risk of meningococcal disease. It has many of the same symptoms as the flu-fever, headache, extreme tiredness and vomiting-along with other symptoms like stiff neck, light sensitivity and a rash consisting of small, purplish black-red dots. However, it is a serious bacterial infection that affects the brain and spinal cord and can kill an otherwise healthy young person in 48 hours or less. Most patients with meningococcal disease develop meningitis, although those patients who do not develop meningitis actually have a higher mortality and morbidity rate.

It’s estimated that up to 2,800 Americans contract meningococcal infection annually, and 10 percent of those will die. Up to 20 percent of those who survive may experience permanent disabilities, including hearing loss, neurological damage and limb amputations. Annually, 50,000 deaths from meningococcal disease occur worldwide.

"The highest incidence of meningococcal disease actually occurs in infants and children younger than 4 years, and the Menactra vaccine may soon be licensed for this at-risk population as well," said Dr. Murray.

For teens in the at-risk population, Menactra protects against 70 to 80 percent of the strains causing disease. "Vaccines remain the best way to protect your children against meningococcal infection and other diseases," said Dr. Murray.

Before your teen starts school, be sure to talk to their pediatrician about the new meningococcal vaccine and other vaccines they may need. And if you think your teen may have meningococcal disease, seek medical help immediately.

To contact a pediatrician at the MCG Children’s Medical Center, call 706-721-KIDS.

MCG Health System is composed of three separate organizations -- MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation. The physicians of MCG Health System are community physicians, faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia, or employees of the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation, not employees of MCG Health, Inc. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation and community physicians to deliver the highest level of primary and specialty health care. For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.