Guillain-Barré syndrome among recipients of Menactra meningococcal conjugate vaccine--United States, June-July 2005

Abstract

On January 14, 2005, a quadrivalent (A, C, Y, and W135) meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Meningococcal Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine, Menactra, Sanofi-Pasteur, Swiftwater, Pennsylvania) (MCV4) was licensed in the United States. MCV4 is a tetravalent vaccine; each 0.5-mL dose contains 4 microg each of capsular polysaccharide from Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135 conjugated to 48 microg of diphtheria toxoid. In February 2005, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended routine vaccination of adolescents at the preadolescent health-care visit (at ages 11-12 years). For persons who have not been vaccinated previously, ACIP recommended vaccination before high-school entry (at approximately age 15 years). Routine vaccination also is indicated for first-year college students living in dormitories and for other persons at increased risk.