Meningococcal disease is a name for any infection caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and infections of the blood. Even when it is treated, meningococcal disease kills 10 to 15 infected people out of 100. And of those who survive, about 10 to 20 out of every 100 will suffer disabilities such as hearing loss, brain damage, kidney damage, loss of limbs, nervous system problems, or severe scars from skin grafts. Meningococcal disease is rare and has declined in the United States since the 1990s. However, it is a severe disease with a significant risk of death or lasting disabilities in people who get it.
Anyone can get meningococcal disease. Certain people are at increased risk, including:
- Infants younger than one year old
- Adolescents and young adults 16 through 23 years old
- People with certain medical conditions that affect the immune system
- Microbiologists who routinely work with isolates of N. meningitidis, the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease
- People at risk because of an outbreak in their community
Prevention of Meningococcal Disease: The best way to protect yourself against meningococcal disease is through receiving the recommended vaccines.
Meningococcal ACWY vaccine can help protect against meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y.
Adolescents need 2 doses of a meningococcal ACWY vaccine:
- First dose: 11 or 12 years of age
- Second (booster) dose: 16 years of age
In addition to routine vaccination for adolescents, meningococcal ACWY vaccine is also recommended for certain groups of people including college freshmen living in residence halls who have not been completely vaccinated with meningococcal ACWY vaccine
Meningococcal B vaccine can help protect against meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B. For best protection, more than 1 dose of a meningococcal B vaccine is needed. There are two meningococcal B vaccines available. The same vaccine must be used for all doses.
Meningococcal B vaccines are recommended for people 10 years or older who are at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease, including:
- People at risk because of a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak
- Anyone whose spleen is damaged or has been removed, including people with sickle cell disease
- Anyone with a rare immune system condition called “complement component deficiency”
- Anyone taking a type of drug called a “complement inhibitor,” such as eculizumab (also called “Soliris”®) or ravulizumab (also called “Ultomiris”®)
- Microbiologists who routinely work with isolates of N. meningitidis
These vaccines may also be given to anyone 16 through 23 years old to provide short-term protection against most strains of serogroup B meningococcal disease, based on discussions between the patient and health care provider. The preferred age for vaccination is 16 through 18 years.
Talk with your health care provider
Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting the vaccine has had an allergic reaction
after a previous dose of meningococcal ACWY or meningococcal B vaccine, or has any severe,
life-threatening allergies
In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone meningococcal ACWY and
vaccination until a future visit. People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated.
People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting
meningococcal ACWY or meningococcal B vaccine. Your health care provider can give you more
information.
Risks of a vaccine reaction
- Redness or soreness where the shot is given can happen after meningococcal ACWY or
meningococcal B vaccination. - A small percentage of people who receive meningococcal ACWY vaccine experience muscle
pain, headache, or tiredness. Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot is given,
tiredness, headache, muscle or joint pain, fever, or nausea can happen after meningococcal
B vaccination. Some of these reactions occur in more than half of the people who receive
the vaccine. - People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider
if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears. - As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic
reaction, other serious injury, or death.
(Source: Center for Disease Control, Vaccination Information Statement)
