Although the Federal Government, Schools, Menactra's manufacturer, Departments of Health and physician groups recommend at what time and under what circumstances Menactra should be offered (currently those 2 to 55 years of age), not all persons who are appropriate candidates are offered the vaccine, even to this date. This allows individuals to fall through the "vaccine cracks" and leaves them unprotected from a devastating infection. Other individuals wrongfully fall through the cracks when their care providers do not offer the vaccine due to personal beliefs, economic concerns, outdated vaccine schedules, supply issues or inaccurate medical history. It is not surprising that a patient may not learn of the true and complete reason they were not offered Menactra until litigation following their horrific experience with Meningitis. Often, it is only in litigation that a patient, through their attorney, has the ability to gather pharmaceutical representative computer visit notes, ordering history, supply history, standards followed, reasons behind not offering the vaccine, as well as other information relevant to the physician and practice's global and individual patient care.
Parents often wholly rely on their healthcare providers to offer and recommend Menactra. Yet a parent can also bring the Menactra issue up on their own initiative at routine visits, sick visits, allergy visits, acne visits, back-to-school check-ups, summer camp check-ups, pre-college check-ups and sports physicals. A parent can also visit Menactra's manufacturer's website for further advice and guidance.
Although National vaccine standards do exist, a medical care provider may deviate from these standards as it relates to your child for many reasons. As a parent, in conjunction with advice given by your care provider, you can also utilize the internet to best determine, based on information gathered from many sources, what is indeed best for your child. You can also obtain a vaccination or second opinion from another care provider. The key as a parent is to become fully and adequately informed based upon the most current vaccine information available so that you, and not someone else, are in full control of your child's health.
If your child's healthcare provider does not have Menactra in supply, you can obtain the vaccine through another provider, a pharmacy which administers vaccines, by contacting Menactra's manufacturer, and also by contacting the local and state departments of health in your area. Many insurance companies now include Menactra in their coverage plan and many states provide it free of charge to children of families in need through their own supply and vaccines for children plans.
