Meningococcal Vaccines

Meningococcal disease is a very serious illness caused by bacteria. It can lead to brain damage, disability, and death. Vaccination can help prevent meningococcal disease.

There are two types of meningococcal vaccines for preteens and teens: meningococcal conjugate vaccines (protect against serogroups A, C, W, and Y) and meningococcal B vaccines (protect against serogroup B). There are five different vaccines that can, prevent meningococcal disease. For protection against all five serogroups of meningococcal disease, it is necessary to receive both a MenACWY and a MenB vaccine series.

Who should get meningococcal vaccines?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination with meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) recommended for all children aged 11 to 12 years, with a booster shot at 16 years of age. Babies, young children, and adults at high risk should also get this vaccine.

People should get MenACWY vaccine if they fall into these high-risk categories:

Have a rare type of autoimmune disorder (complement component deficiency)
Are taking the medicine called eculizumab (Soliris®)
Have asplenia (a damaged spleen or their spleen has been removed), including people who have asplenia due to sickle cell disease
Have HIV
Are traveling to or living in countries where the disease is common
- For more information, see the CDC Travelers' Health website
Are at increased risk because of a meningococcal disease outbreak
Are a microbiologist who is routinely exposed to the bacteria in a lab
Are a first year college student AND Are not up to date with this vaccine
Are a military recruit

People who are at increased risk for meningococcal disease should get revaccinated every five years with MenACWY as long as the person remains at increased risk. This is because protection from the vaccine decreases within five years.

Travelers to some countries should get the MenACWY vaccine. Countries include those in sub-Saharan Africa (also known as the meningitis belt) and Saudi Arabia during Hajj (PDF). It takes 7 to 10 days to develop protection after receiving the vaccine. For the best protection on your trip, see a healthcare provider or clinic as soon as possible before travel.

Some people should get Meningococcal B vaccine (MenB) if they are 10 years of age and older with certain health conditions, taking certain medications, are at increased risk because of a meningococcal B disease outbreak, or work with meningococcal bacterial in a lab. This vaccine is a series of 2 or 3 doses. This vaccine provides short-term protection (about 2 to 4 years) against meningococcal type B disease.

People should get MenB booster doses if they are at increased risk for meningococcal B disease. Adolescents and young adults age 16 to 23 years should talk with their healthcare provider to decide if a MenB vaccine series is needed to provide short-term protection against disease caused by most strains of serogroup B.

People should get MenB vaccine if they:

Have a rare type of autoimmune disorder (complement component deficiency)
Are taking a type of medicine called a complement inhibitor (for example, Soliris® or Ultomiris®
Have asplenia (a damaged spleen or their spleen has been removed), including asplenia due to sickle cell disease
Are at increased risk because of a meningococcal disease outbreak
Are a microbiologist who is routinely exposed to the meningococcal bacteria in a lab

Find out what other vaccines adolescents need, and how meningococcal vaccines fit into the recommended vaccine schedule for preteens and teens. College students need some vaccines, too.

State-Supplied Vaccine

Current state-supplied meningococcal-containing vaccines

Vaccine Information Statement

Meningococcal ACWY (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Serogroup B Meningococcal (CDC)

Meningococcal Vaccines