Menomune

Menomune is a vaccine is used to prevent meningitis.

Menomune is a vaccine is used for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135.

Menomune is approved for use in persons 2 years of age and older.

Menomune vaccine does not prevent Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B disease.

• Sanofi Pasteur, Inc

Side effects reported with Menomune in persons aged 2 through 10 years old include:

• pain, redness, hardening, and swelling at the injection site
• fever
• decreased appetite
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• drowsiness
• irritability
• seizures
• joint pain
• rash

Side effects reported with Menomune in persons aged 11 through 55 years old include:

• pain, redness, hardening, and swelling at the injection site
• fever
• fatigue
• a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness (malaise)
• chills
• headache
• decreased appetite
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• seizures
• joint pain
• rash

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or unusual symptoms after you receive Menomune. For a complete list of side effects, ask your health care provider.

To report suspected adverse reactions, contact VAERS at 1-800-822-7967 or http://vaers.hhs.gov.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take or have received:

• immunosuppressive therapies, including irradiation, antimetabolites, alkylating agents, cytotoxic drugs and corticosteroids
• other vaccines

This is not a complete list of Menomune drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. 

Serious side effects have been reported with Menomune including the following:

• Allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider about any signs or symptoms of allergic reactions, which include the following:
  • chest pain
  • swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • rash
• Latex. The stoppers to the vials of lyophilized vaccine and diluent contain dry natural latex rubber that may cause allergic reactions in latex sensitive people.
• Moderate to severe illness. To avoid confusion when diagnosing between illness and possible vaccine adverse effects, vaccination with Menomune should be postponed in persons with moderate or severe illness.
• Limitations of vaccine effectiveness. Vaccination with Menomune may not protect all individuals.
• Altered immunocompetence. If Menomune is administered to individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy, the expected immune response may not be obtained.

Do not get Menomune if you or your child has a history of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to Menomune vaccine or any component of the vaccine.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Menomune, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication. 

Tell your healthcare provider if you or your child:

• has a history of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to Menomune vaccine or any component of the vaccine
• are allergic to latex
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• have received other vaccines

Tell you doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. 

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Menomune falls into category C. No studies have been conducted in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Menomune should only be given to a pregnant woman if clearly needed. 

Tell your doctor is you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

It is not known if Menomune crosses into human milk. Because some vaccines can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this vaccine, caution should be exercised when Menomune vaccine is administered to a nursing woman.

Menomune is given by a healthcare provider as a shot just below the skin of the upper arm. 

Menomune is given by a healthcare provider as a shot just below the skin of the upper arm. 

Primary immunization:

• Primary immunization with Menomune vaccine consists of a single 0.5 mL dose.

Revaccination of people at high risk:

• The ACIP has recommendations for revaccination against meningococcal disease for persons at high risk who were previously vaccinated with Menomune. If Menomune is used for revaccination, the dose is 0.5 mL.

Menomune is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting. It is unlikely that an overdose will occur in this setting. However, if overdoes is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.