Menomune

Menomune is a vaccine used to prevent bacterial meningitis and other diseases caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. It works by "tricking" the body into thinking it has been exposed to the bacteria, allowing the immune system to fight off the bacteria if actual exposure occurs. The injection is usually given as a single dose. Possible side effects include pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headache.

Menomune Vaccine Information

What Is Menomune?

Menomune^® (meningococcal vaccine) is used to provide protection against invasive meningococcal disease caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. These invasive meningococcal diseases include:

Bloodstream infections
Bacterial meningitis (a bacterial infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord).

Menomune is approved for use in individuals age 2 and older. In addition, it is the only meningococcal vaccine approved in the United States for use in individuals over 55 years of age.

(Click Menomune Uses for more information on what the vaccine is used for, including possible off-label indications.)

Thimerosal Content and Other Concerns

Single-dose vials of Menomune do not contain thimerosal (a mercury-containing preservative). People who are concerned about exposure to this substance can be confident that this vaccine has no thimerosal when using the single-dose vials -- not even trace amounts. However, the multidose vials do contain thimerosal: 25 mcg of mercury (0.025 mg) per dose.

Some people also are concerned about the aluminum content of vaccines. Menomune contains no aluminum. This vaccine is not made from animal components or human fetal cell lines, unlike some vaccines.

Menomune Article Continues on Next Page >