Meningococcal (ACWY + B)

According to the CDC, why should you get vaccinated?

Meningococcal ACWY vaccine can help protect against meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y.[1] Meningococcal B vaccine can help protect against meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B.[2]

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.

 Anyone can get meningococcal disease but 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 community1,2

Who should get the vaccine?

Adolescents and young adults 16 through 23 years old1,2

How does getting the vaccine work?

MenACWY: First-year college students who live in residential housing (if not previously vaccinated at age 16 years or older) and military recruits: 1 dose MenACWY

MenB: Healthy adolescents and young adults age 16 through 23 years (age 16 through 18 years preferred) not at increased risk for meningococcal disease: Based on individual clinical decision, may receive 2-dose series MenB-4C at least 1 month apart, or 2-dose series MenB-FHbp at 0, 6 months (if dose 2 was administered less than 6 months after dose 1, administer dose 3 at least 4 months after dose 2); MenB-4C and MenB-FHbp are not interchangeable (use same product for all doses in series)[3]

MenACWY and MenB vaccines may be given at the same time as other vaccines.1,2

[1] Meningococcal A Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) <https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mening.html> [accessed Jan 20 2020]

[2] Meningococcal B Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) <https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mening-serogroup.html> [accessed Jan 20 2020]

[3]  Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule <https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html> [accessed Jan 20 2020]