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Meningitis Vaccine

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In rare instances, the meningitis – or meningococcal – vaccine may cause anaphylaxis and other serious side effects.

Learn More About Filing a Meningitis Vaccine Lawsuit

You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one suffered serious side effects and complications from the meningitis vaccine. To learn more, please contact the vaccine injury lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard LLP by calling (888) 994-5118.

What is Meningococcal Disease?

Meningococcal bacteria are spread through saliva or spit, usually as a result of direct or ongoing contact with an infected person.

Some people who become infected with meningococcal bacteria will not develop symptoms. However, these individuals – known as carriers – can still spread the disease to others.

Meningococcal meningitis causes inflammation of the thin lining that covers the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Feeling confused
• Upset stomach and throwing up
• Infants may be less active than usual, fuss, throw up, and refuse to eat

Meningococcal septicemia is an infection of the bloodstream that causes bleeding into the skin and organs. Symptoms may include:

• Fever and chills
• Feeling tired
• Throwing up and diarrhea (watery poop)
• Cold hands and feet
• Severe aches or pain in the muscles, joints, chest, or stomach

Appproximately 2,600 people in the United States get meningococcal disease each year. Between 10-15% of the people who develop the disease will die.  1 in 5 people who survive meningococcal disease will have permanent disabilities, such as hearing loss or brain damage.

Teens, young adults, and people with certain health conditions are at increased risk for meningococcal disease

Meningitis Vaccinations

Two types of vaccinations prevent meningococcal disease:

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccines (Menactra^®or Menveo^®)
• Serogroup B meningococcal vaccines (Bexsero^®or Trumenba^®)

The CDC recommends meningococcal conjugate vaccines for all children ages 11 to 12 year, with a booster to be given at age 16. Certain preteens and teens should get a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine if they:

• Have complement component deficiency
• Are taking Solaris
• Have had their spleen removed or have a damaged spleen
• Belong to any group identified to be at increased risk because of a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak

Babies and children between 2 and 10 years old should receive the meningitis vaccine if they:

• Have complement component deficiency
• Are taking Solaris
• Have had their spleen removed or have a damaged spleen
• Belong to any group identified to be at increased risk because of a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak
• Have HIV
• Live in or travel to countries where meningococcal disease is common

Certain adults at increased risk of meningococcal disease should also receive a meningitis vaccine.

Meningitis Vaccine Injuries

Mild side effects associated with conjugate meningococcal vaccines include:

• Reaction at the injection site
• Fever

Mild reactions to serogroup B meningococcal vaccines include:

• Reaction at the injection site
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle or joint pain
• Fever or chills
• Nausea or diarrhea

Serious complications following a meningitis vaccine may include:

• Anaphylaxis
• SIRVA
• Vasovagal syncope (brief fainting spells)
• Jerking, seizure-like movements
• Brain damage
• Transverse Myelitis (TM)
• Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis or ADEM
• Intellectual or physical disability
• Death

Meningitis Vaccine and the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) provides compensation to those who have been hurt by the meningitis vaccine and other covered vaccines. To date, the program has paid more than $3.9 billion to people who have filed petitions for vaccine-related injuries.

Under the NVICP’s guidelines, a vaccine injury is presumed to be covered if:

• The injury meets the definition included in the program’s Vaccine Injury Table.
• The first symptom of the condition occurred within the time period specified by the table.

The table lists the following covered injuries for meningitis vaccines:

• Anaphylaxis
• SIRVA
• Vasovagal syncope

If an injury does not appear in the Vaccine Injury Table or does not meet the Table requirements, claimants must present expert witness testimony, medical records, medical opinions, or other evidence proving that the vaccine caused the injury and/or condition.

Contact a Meningitis Vaccine Injury Lawyer Today

Bernstein Liebhard LLP offers free, no-obligation legal reviews to those who may have been injured by a meningitis vaccine. To discuss filing a meningitis vaccine lawsuit with a member of our legal team, please call our office today at (888) 994-5118.