Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can infect the spinal cord and brain, causing meningitis that can be fatal or lead to permanent and disabling medical problems.

Meningococcal disease can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria is usually passed through close contact with an infected person, especially through kissing, or sharing a drinking glass or eating utensil.

Meningococcal group ABCWY vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by serogroup ABCWY meningococcal bacteria.

This vaccine helps your body develop immunity to meningitis, but will not treat an active infection you already have.

Meningococcal group ABCWY vaccine is for use in children and young adults who are 10 to 25 years old.

Like any vaccine, the meningococcal group ABCWY vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

You should not receive this vaccine if you've ever had an allergic reaction to meningococcal vaccine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had nervous system problems such as numbness, pain, tingling, weakness, burning or prickly feeling, vision or hearing problems, trouble breathing after receiving a vaccine.

This vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all if you have:

• received a vaccine for meningitis;
• a severe illness with a fever or any type of infection; or
• a weak immune system caused by disease or by using certain medicine (this vaccine may not be as effective if you are immunosuppressed).

You may still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold.

Your doctor should determine if it is safe to receive this vaccine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of this vaccine on the baby.

Use Meningococcal Group Abcwy Vaccine (Intramuscular) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Keep track of all side effects you have, be sure to tell the vaccination provider if the previous shot caused any side effects.

You should not receive a second shot if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Becoming infected with meningococcal disease and developing meningitis is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. Any vaccine may cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is low.

You may feel faint after receiving this vaccine. Your doctor may want you to remain under observation during the first 15 minutes after the injection.

Common side effects may include:

• headache;
• feeling tired;
• muscle or joint pain;
• chills; or
• pain, redness, swelling, or irritation where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

Follow your vaccination provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.