Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness, which includes meningococcal meningitis (an infection of the protective layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and septicemia (blood poisoning).

Meningitis can cause the meninges, or membranes around the brain or spinal cord, to get dangerously inflamed, potentially causing brain damage. Septicemia involves a rapid spread of disease toxins throughout the bloodstream, resulting in dangerously low blood pressure and multiple organ failure.1-4 Together, they create a deadly, quickly worsening disease that may be hard to diagnose, especially in its early stages.2,3 Meningococcal disease can take the life of an otherwise healthy child in 24 hours.6,7