Although meningococcal disease is rare, vaccination is important because these infections can quickly become very dangerous, even fatal.
According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, “Meningococcus is one of the most rapid and overwhelming infectious diseases known to man. About 10 to 15 people in 100 with meningitis caused by meningococcus will die from the infection.”
Meningococcus causes meningitis and sepsis. Symptoms of meningitis include stiff neck, headache, fever and drowsiness. Symptoms of sepsis include fever, shock and coma. The disease can escalate so quickly that a person can go from being well to in a coma within a few hours.
Meningococcal infection spreads through intimate contact with an infected person, like kissing, sharing food or beverages, or living in close contact.
Teenagers, young adults and people with certain health conditions are at increased risk.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent meningococcal disease.
Learn more about the meningococcal vaccine.
Most side effects after vaccination are mild. They include:
- Pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given
- Mild fever
- Chills
- Feeling tired
- Headache
- Muscle and joint aches
Although serious side effects following vaccination are very rare, they do occur.
The U.S. government created the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to reimburse people who suffer a serious injury as the result of a vaccine.
All vaccines administered to children and many vaccines administered to adults are covered by the federal vaccine program, including the meningococcal vaccine.
Serious injuries that can occur after a meningococcal vaccine include:
- GBS (Guillain-Barré syndrome)
- SIRVA (Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration)
- CIDP (Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy)
- AIDP (Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy)
- ADEM (Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis)
- ITP (Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura)
- TP (thrombocytopenic purpura)
- Transverse myelitis (TM)
- Central nervous disorders
- Encephalopathy
- Anaphylaxis
- Brachial neuritis
- Rotator cuff tear
- Vasovagal syncope
- Injection site injury
- Abscess
- Shoulder injury
- Arm injury
The vaccine program will only consider compensation when injuries persist and require ongoing medical care for longer than six months.
If you or your child suffered an illness or injury after a meningococcal vaccine, contact our office for a free consultation with a member of our experienced vaccine team. Click here to see if you may be eligible to compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Our experienced vaccine injury team will discuss your options with you. If you are eligible, we can guide you through the process of applying to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, and help you get all the compensation you deserve.
We have represented people with vaccine injuries for more than thirty years. We know that these injuries can be life-changing and debilitating.
Our consultation is free, and if you win an award, our fees do not come out of your settlement. Any attorney’s fees are paid separately by the Vaccine Fund. You will never pay a fee for our assistance.