MenQuadfi® (MenACWY vaccine) is now available to help protect you and everyone else who receives the vaccine in your family against invasive meningococcal disease (IMD)

MenQuadfi® is a vaccine that is used to help protect you or your children, 12 months and older, against infections caused by bacteria (germs) called “Neisseria meningitidis” types A, C, W and Y. As with all vaccines, 100% protection cannot be guaranteed.

people affected by IMD may have long-lasting complications such as hearing loss, brain injury, skin scarring, limb weakness, digit or limb loss, seizure conditions, or speech, language, memory, or communication disorders.

How does MenQuadfi® work?
MenQuadfi® helps your body produce its own natural protection against bacteria that can cause meningococcal diseases (“Neisseria meningitidis” serogroups A, C, W and Y).

  • Young Infants

    • Infants under 1 year of age* are at the highest risk of IMD, followed by children aged 1 to 4 years

    * MenQuadfi® is not indicated in infants less then 12 months old.

    MenQuadfi® is now authorized for use in Canada for all ages 1+.
    Ask your healthcare provider about MenQuadfi® for you and your family’s IMD vaccination schedule.

    Teens and Young Adults

    • Teens and young adults aged 15 to 24 years are some of the most at-risk individuals when it comes to IMD

    • College and university students can be at even higher risk of IMD compared to other teens and young adults

    • Other risk factors for IMD include:

      • Close direct contact with others

      • Contact with infected saliva

      • Spending time in crowded areas, like dorms

    MenQuadfi®: Offers booster vaccination for adolescents and adults who are at continued risk for IMD if at least 4 years have elapsed since a prior dose of a MenACWY vaccine.

    Travellers and Pilgrims

    UPDATED JANUARY 2025
    New requirements from the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

    All travellers intending to perform Hajj or Umrah, ages 1+, must receive an approved MenACWY vaccine within the last 3 years and at least 10 days prior to arrival, and provide proof of vaccination.

    Additionally, IMD vaccination should be considered for anyone travelling to areas where the spread of the disease is more common, such as:

    • Areas where outbreaks are happening
    • Saudi Arabia for the purposes of Hajj or Umrah
    • Sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia (also called the ’African Meningitis Belt’)
      • Higher risk countries in this region include Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan

    Get MenQuadfi® for your whole family aged 1+ before you travel.

    ’African Meningitis Belt’

    Older Adults

    • Individuals aged 60+, and those with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of IMD

    • Don’t forget, vaccine effectiveness depends on the strain(s) being vaccinated against and how long it’s been since you were last vaccinated

    MenQuadfi®: The only MenACWY conjugate vaccine indicated for adults 56+.

    Ask your healthcare provider if MenQuadfi® is right for you and your family.

     

    Possible side effects to know about 

    Like all medicines, MenQuadfi® can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following “very common” (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) side effects can be seen after the use of MenQuadfi® in:

    • children 12-23 months of age: tenderness, redness, or swelling where the injection was given, feeling irritable, crying, loss of appetite, feeling drowsy
    • children (2 years of age and older), adolescents, adults and the elderly: pain where the injection was given, muscle pain, headache, generally feeling unwell.

    Other side-effects that can happen in any age group, incidence “not known” (cannot be estimated from available data): hypersensitivity including anaphylaxis, fits (convulsions) with or without fever.

    If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect after receiving MenQuadfi® that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare provider.

    Learn more about invasive meningococcal disease (IMD)

    Download your MenQuadfi® resources

    MenQuadfi® Patient Brochure

    Hajj and Umrah Poster

  • MenQuadfi® FAQ

    Questions about Invasive Meningococcal Disease and MenQuadfi®?

    You came to the right FAQ.

    • Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a serious illness that causes meningitis and bloodstream infections. Getting vaccinated is a good way to help protect yourself from IMD.

    • MenQuadfi® is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W, and Y.

    • MenQuadfi® can be taken by all ages from12 months and up. Infants under 1 year of age are at the highest risk of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), followed by children aged 1 to 4 years. MenQuadfi® is only indicated for ages 12 months and older. Teens and young adults (aged 15 to 24 years) and travellers to certain regions of sub-Saharan Africa are some of the most at-risk groups when it comes to IMD. Additionally, individuals aged 60+, and those with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of IMD and should consider getting vaccinated with MenQuadfi®.

    • MenQuadfi® is contraindicated in anyone with a known systemic hypersensitivity reaction to any component of MenQuadfi®, including tetanus toxoid, or after a previous administration of the vaccine.

    • Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional about MenQuadfi® today.

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  • Pre-Travel Checklist

    Don’t go away without checking your Pre-Travel Checklist.

    Travellers Note: When travelling outside Canada, you may be at risk for a number of illnesses that vaccines can help prevent, including invasive meningococcal disease (IMD).

    You should consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are planning to visit sub-Saharan Africa and request MenQuadfi® to help protect against IMD.

    Travelling is exciting!

    However, it can be very easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget to be prepared. Planning today will save you a lot of grief on your trip, so make sure you have these important essentials covered:

    PASSPORT — Make sure your passport is up to date well in advance! Passport renewals can take weeks, and the last thing you want is to get caught with an expired passport. Go check yours now and be sure to bring it with you.

    VACCINATIONS — Talk to your doctor about your travel plans and ask about any vaccines you should consider getting, such as the MenQuadfi® vaccine for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease.

    FOR SUB-SAHARAN-AFRICA TRAVELLERS & PILGRIMAGE TRIPS — Be prepared for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD)! Especially if you are travelling to sub-Saharan Africa or going on a pilgrimage, all travellers aged 12 months and older should consider getting the MenACWY vaccine for the prevention of IMD.

    TRAVEL BACKPACK — Treat yourself to a trusty travel backpack, ideally something light and sturdy to help keep your essentials close to you such as your passport, wallet, phone, prescriptions, and snacks!

    TRAVEL POWER ADAPTERS — Not all plugins will let you plug in! Region-specific power adapters are a must when travelling overseas. To make sure you can plug in your phone and other technology, purchase a power adapter before you depart.

    MEDICINE — In addition to any vaccinations, remember to bring your updated prescriptions and over-the counter medications. Trying to find your prescription on the other side of the world can be a headache, just like not having pain or allergy medication. Pack a pouch of your medicine in your travel backpack so you’re prepared for anything.

    LAUNDRY BAG – Let’s just say finding a place to do laundry on vacation is probably not your priority. It stinks. When you’re living out of your suitcase, keep your dirties from mingling and pack a laundry travel bag.

    MenQuadfi® is a vaccine that is used for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W and Y in individuals 12 months of age and older. MenQuadfi® does not prevent N. meningitidis serogroup B disease. As with all vaccines, 100% protection cannot be guaranteed. Side effects may occur. The most common side effects in children 12-23 months of age were tenderness, redness, or swelling where the injection was given, feeling irritable, crying, loss of appetite and feeling drowsy. The most common side effects in children 2-9 years of age were tenderness, redness, or swelling where the injection was given, muscle ache, malaise, and headache. The most common side effects in people aged 9 years and older were tenderness where the injection was given, muscle ache, headache, malaise. 

    Talk to your healthcare provider to see if MenQuadfi® is right for your family. For more information, visit sanofi.ca.