From the Guidelines
There is no evidence that meningococcal vaccines (MenACWY vaccines like Menactra or Menveo, or serogroup B vaccines like Bexsero or Trumenba) cause purpura fulminans. Purpura fulminans is actually a rare but severe complication of meningococcal infection itself, not the vaccines that prevent it. The condition involves rapidly progressive hemorrhagic necrosis of the skin and disseminated intravascular coagulation, which can be life-threatening. Meningococcal vaccines are considered safe, with the most common side effects being mild and temporary, such as pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. Serious adverse events following meningococcal vaccination are extremely rare. In fact, vaccination against meningococcal disease is an important preventive measure to avoid the infections that can lead to purpura fulminans. If you observe any unusual or severe reactions after vaccination, you should seek immediate medical attention, but purpura fulminans would not be an expected adverse effect of these vaccines, as supported by the most recent guidelines and recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 1.
Some key points to consider:
- Meningococcal vaccines are recommended for certain groups of people, including those with increased risk of meningococcal disease, such as individuals with anatomical or functional asplenia, or those who are immunocompromised 1.
- The vaccines are also recommended for adolescents and young adults, as well as for people who are at increased risk of serogroup B meningococcal disease 1.
- The most common side effects of meningococcal vaccines are mild and temporary, and serious adverse events are extremely rare 1.
Overall, the benefits of meningococcal vaccination in preventing meningococcal disease and its potential complications, including purpura fulminans, outweigh the risks, and there is no evidence to suggest that the vaccines themselves cause purpura fulminans.
From the Research
Meningococcal Vaccine and Purpura Fulminans
- There is no direct evidence to suggest that the meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra or Menveo, serogroup B meningococcal vaccines, Bexsero or Trumenba) can precipitate the occurrence of purpura fulminans 2, 3.
- Purpura fulminans is a rare and potentially fatal complication of disseminated intravascular coagulation, commonly associated with severe bacterial infections such as those caused by Neisseria meningitidis 2.
- The meningococcal vaccine is designed to prevent invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y, and has been shown to be effective in preventing meningococcal disease 3, 4, 5.
- While there have been reports of adverse reactions to the meningococcal vaccine, such as Henoch-Schonlein purpura, these are rare and not directly related to purpura fulminans 6.
- The current evidence suggests that the benefits of vaccination against meningococcal disease outweigh the risks, and that the vaccine is an important tool in preventing this potentially life-threatening infection 3, 4, 5.