Risk Factors

Certain people are at increased risk for meningococcal disease. Some risk factors include:

• Age
  • Doctors more commonly diagnose meningococcal disease in infants, teens, and young adults. Learn more about vaccine recommendations for age groups at increased risk.
• Community setting
  • Infectious diseases tend to spread wherever large groups of people gather together. Several college campuses have reported outbreaks of serogroup B meningococcal disease during the last several years. Learn more about vaccine recommendations for those at increased risk in community settings.
• Certain medical conditions
  • Certain medical conditions and medications put people at increased risk of meningococcal disease. They include not having a spleen, having a complement component deficiency, and being infected with HIV. Learn more about vaccine recommendations for those at increased risk due to certain medical conditions.
• Travel
  • Travelers to the meningitis belt in sub-Saharan Africa may be at risk for meningococcal disease. Learn more about vaccine recommendations for travelers.

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