Question:

Can a person that had a double lung transplant get a meningitis shot?

Answer:

There are two kinds of vaccines that protect against Neisseria meningitidis available in the United States: meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Menomune®), and meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra® and Menveo®) Published guidelines exist regarding their use. The following text was taken directly from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) statement for vaccination.

People who should not receive the vaccine

• Anyone who has ever had a severe (life-threatening) allergic reaction to a previous dose of either meningococcal vaccine should not get another dose.
• Anyone who has a severe (life threatening) allergy to any vaccine component should not get the vaccine. Tell your provider if you have any severe allergies.
• Anyone who is moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should probably wait until they recover. Ask your provider. People with a mild illness can usually get the vaccine.
• Anyone who has ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome should talk with their provider before getting MCV4.
• Meningococcal vaccines may be given to pregnant women. However, MCV4 is a new vaccine and has not been studied in pregnant women as much as MPSV4 has. It should be used only if clearly needed.
• Meningococcal vaccines may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Who should receive the vaccine:

• A dose of MCV4 is recommended for children and adolescents 11 through 18 years of age. This dose is normally given during the routine preadolescent immunization visit (at 11-12 years). But those who did not get the vaccine during this visit should get it at the earliest opportunity.
• Meningococcal vaccine is also recommended for other people at increased risk for meningococcal disease.
• MCV4 is the preferred vaccine for people 2 through 55 years of age in these risk groups. MPSV4 can be used if MCV4 is not available and for adults over 55. 
• College freshmen living in dormitories.
• Microbiologists who are routinely exposed to meningococcal bacteria.
• U.S. military recruits.
• Anyone traveling to, or living in, a part of the world where meningococcal disease is common, such as parts of Africa.
• Anyone who has a damaged spleen, or whose spleen has been removed.
• Anyone who has terminal complement component deficiency (an immune system disorder).
• People who might have been exposed to meningitis during an outbreak.

In 2009, the American Society of Transplantation (AST) updated the guidelines for vaccination of pediatric and adult solid organ transplant candidates and recipients. They do not recommend routine vaccination but support vaccination for anyone who has the above indications.

Hope this helps.

For more information:

Go to the Lung Transplantation health topic.