In addition to reactions and injuries following meningococcal vaccination, administration errors resulting in adverse events have also been reported. Menactra (MCV4/MenACWY-D) meningococcal conjugate vaccine is approved to be administered intramuscularly (IM) while Menomune meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine is approved to given subcutaneously (SC). Following FDA approval of Menactra vaccine, multiple reports surfaced regarding the incorrect administration of Menactra vaccine by subcutaneous injection. In September of 2006, the CDC issued a report regarding the over 100 reported vaccine errors involving Menactra vaccine misadministration. Twelve reports resulted in adverse events; however, all were considered to be non-serious. The CDC conducted a study examining immune responses from individuals who received the incorrectly administered vaccine and determined vaccine acquired antibodies to be acceptable and did not recommend revaccination. In this report, the CDC reminded vaccine providers to review all vaccine product inserts prior to administering any vaccine.
In February of 2016, the CDC issued a second report detailing meningococcal vaccine administration errors, this time involving the Menveo (MenACWY-CRM) meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Menveo vaccine is supplied in two separate vials and must be combined prior to vaccine administration. However, between March 1, 2010 and September 22, 2015, 407 reports of Menveo vaccine misadministration were submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). Reported errors included vaccine providers administering only the liquid MenCYW-135 component of the vaccine or otherwise administering only the lyophilized MenA component by reconstituting it in liquids such as saline, sterile water, or even with another vaccine. Fifteen percent of vaccine administration errors involving Menveo resulted in adverse events that included redness to the injection, fever and pain. The CDC also admitted that as a passive surveillance system, VAERS likely only captured a fraction of meningococcal vaccine misadministration error and many more additional cases were likely to have occurred. Again, vaccine providers were advised to review and follow the instructions provided in the vaccine product insert and on the vial labels prior to administration.
NVIC “Quick Facts” is not a substitute for becoming fully informed about Meningococcal disease, meningitis and the Meningococcal vaccine. NVIC recommends consumers read the more complete information following the “Quick Facts”, as well as the vaccine manufacturer product information inserts, and speak with one or more trusted health care professionals before making a vaccination decision for yourself or your child.
