ITP and the Meningitis Vaccine

In order to get a room assignment for a dorm in college, I have to have a meningitis vaccine. Before looking into exemptions,are there many risks with the vaccination and ITP?

Brenna:

I feel there is always a risk with vaccines. Not just with ITP, but other possible reactions as well. All you can do is read about it and make the most informed decision that you can. Weigh the benefits vs risk and go from there.

"Patients at risk for hemorrhage should not receive MCV4, including those with hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, or receiving anticoagulants, unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk for bleeding after vaccination. Although MCV4 has not been associated with teratogenic effects in animal models, women who are pregnant should only receive the vaccine if clearly needed. The manufacturer has created a registry for pregnant women who receive MCV4 to track response. Information on the program is available by contacting Aventis Pasteur at 1-800-822-2463. It is not known whether MCV4 is excreted into breastmilk.[1]

Patients receiving immunosuppressive drug therapies or undergoing radiation therapy may have a reduced immunologic response to MCV4."

www.medscape.com/viewarticle/505508

www.know-vaccines.org/?page_id=881

You might be able to get a medical exemption to the rule. Sandi, aren't live vaccines more of a risk with ITP than dead vaccines? Which one is this?
Erica

Yes, I think live vaccines are more of a risk with any autoimmune disorder. A quick search has shown that the meningitis vaccine is inactivated (not live), although there are more than one type of meningitis vaccine available.