The AAP is recommending that teens and those without a spleen get a 2nd Menactra shot.
The Menactra vaccine is an immunization against a bacteria that causes meningitis and other serious bacterial infections. Typically, the vaccine has been given at the 11-12 year old visit. But a recent study showed that the protection gained from the shot starts to decrease sooner than originally thought.
Starting this year (2011), the AAP now recommends that all teens receive a 2nd Menactra shot (“booster”) after their 16th birthday, or 5 years after their initial vaccination. Side effects from Menactra have been quite minimal. We recommend this booster for everybody!