Meningococcal disease is an infection caused by a strain of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis.
Meningococcal disease can include meningitis, a serious potentially life threatening inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord and a life threatening blood infection. Meningococcal disease can cause limb loss through amputation, hearing loss, problems with the nervous system, mental retardation, seizures, and strokes. Fortunately, meningococcal disease is preventable, and the key to prevention is the polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommends Meningococcal Vaccines for Preteens, Teens, and Certain Other People. This polysaccharide vaccine is also under development in RFS in both conjugated and unconjugated form.
