June 8, 2005
To: VFC (Vaccines for Children) Providers
Re: Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4), Menactra™
A small supply of Menactra, the new meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4), is now available for pick-up at the Department of Health.
Initial supplies of Menactra are limited. As a result, the ACIP recommendations for routine vaccination will need to be phased in gradually. Vaccination is recommended for:
- All college-bound freshmen living in dormitories;
- Children at the pre-adolescent visit (11-12 years of age);
- Adolescents at high school entry (15 years of age).
Recommendations for vaccination have not changed for the following people at increased risk for meningococcal disease:
- Persons with functional or anatomic asplenia;
- Persons with terminal complement deficiency;
- Laboratory personnel who are exposed routinely to aerosolized N. meningitidis;
- Persons who travel to, or reside in, countries in which N. meningitidis is epidemic (see www.cdc.gov/travel).
Although Menactra is licensed and preferred for use in persons aged 11-55 years (state supplied Menactra is only available for 11-18 years of age), Menomune, the meningococcal polysaccharide (MPSV4), may continue to be used if Menactra is not available. Because Menactra is not licensed for use in children less than 11 years of age, Menomune will continue to be available for children 2-10 years of age in the high-risk categories listed above. Note: Menactra is administered via intramuscular (IM) injection (see vaccine package insert for details).
To order vaccine, use the attached Vaccine Order Form  (make copies for future use). Providers should fax the order form to the Rhode Island Department of Health Immunization Program at 222-3805 at least 4 days prior to pick-up to ensure the pre-approval process has been completed. Please do not fax your order form to the hospital pharmacy. The Immunization Program will do this once your order has been approved. The Immunization Program will fax the approved Vaccine Order Form back to you. When picking up vaccine, please bring the approved Vaccine Order Form, a cooler, and ID. Meningococcal Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) can be obtained when picking up the vaccine, online (www.immunize.org), or by calling the HEALTH Information Line at 1-800-942-7434.
Summer Immunization Clinics: College-bound freshman may also be referred to immunization clinics hosted by the Rhode Island Department of Health this summer:
Clinic # 1 July 13, 2005 Warwick Mall 8AM - 5PM
Clinic # 2 August 10, 2005 Rhode Island Department of Health 8:30AM - 4PM |
