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Meningococcal Vaccination

Pronounced (muh-nin-jo-cok-ul)

One of the Recommended Vaccines by Disease

 

Vaccines are available that can help prevent meningococcal disease, which is any type of illness caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. There are two types of meningococcal vaccines available in the United States:

  • Meningococcal conjugate vaccines (Menactra® and Menveo®)
  • Serogroup B meningococcal vaccines (Bexsero® and Trumenba®)

All 11 to 12 year olds should be vaccinated with a meningococcal conjugate vaccine. A booster dose is recommended at age 16 years. Teens and young adults (16 through 23 year olds) also may be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine. In certain situations, other children and adults could be recommended to get meningococcal vaccines.

Talk with your or your child’s healthcare professional if you have questions about meningococcal vaccines.

CDC recommends routine meningococcal conjugate vaccination for:

  • All preteens and teens at 11 to 12 years old with a booster dose at 16
  • Children and adults at increased risk for meningococcal disease

CDC recommends routine serogroup B meningococcal vaccination for

  • People 10 years or older at increased risk for meningococcal disease

Abbreviations

  • Meningitis=infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord
  • Meningococcemia= meningococcal bloodstream infection
  • Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine=MPSV4
  • Meningococcal conjugate vaccine=MenACWY
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