Meningococcal vaccine

[Hina Muqadas]

The meningococcal vaccine protects against infections caused by the bacteria, Neisseria meningitidis (meningococci). Meningococcal infections can lead to meningitis (an infection of tissue covering the brain), dangerously low blood pressure (shock), and death. These bacteria are the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children and the second leading cause of bacterial meningitis in adults. The infection can cause the following symptoms:

Initially, fever, nausea, headache, and leg pain
Later, a rash, decreased blood pressure, and cold hands and feet
Progression from feeling well to being very sick within hours
Shock and death

For more information, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention