Immunization can help avoid meningococcal disease; a type of illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Meningococcal vaccines are available in two varieties in the United States:
All children aged 11 to 12 should receive a MenACWY vaccine, with a booster dose at the age of 16. Teens (16 to 23 years old) may also be given the MenB vaccine. Meningococcal vaccination is also recommended by the CDC for other children and adults who are at high risk of meningococcal disease.
Meningitis symptoms can appear suddenly and include:
If symptoms persist, consult your doctor immediately.
Meningococcal vaccination is recommended for all teens by the CDC. In some cases, the CDC also advises that other kids and adults get meningococcal vaccines. The CDC recommends meningococcal vaccines, including booster shots, for people based on their age.
All teens aged 11 to 12 should receive a MenACWY vaccine, with a booster shot at the age of 16. Teens may also receive a MenB vaccine, preferably between the ages of 16 and 18.
While other teens chooses ro have MenB vaccine, others can should it get if they:
MenACWY vaccination for children who are between 2 months and 10 years old is recommended by CDC.
Children and teenagers who are at higher risk of meningococcal disease require the entire MenACWY vaccine series, even if they are younger than 11 years old. This includes children who:
The CDC suggests getting the vaccine if you are an adult and:
Consult your doctor to determine if and when you will require MenACWY or MenB booster shots.
Some people should avoid or postpone receiving certain vaccines due to age or medical conditions. Read the guidelines below and seek additional information from your doctor.
Inform the doctor or the person giving the vaccine if:
According to studies, the meningococcal ACWY vaccine is effective in 80 to 85 percent.
Like any other vaccines, it helps protect against meningococcal disease, but they cannot prevent all cases.
Meningococcal disease rates in the United States have been declining since the 1990s and remain low today. The majority of the decline happened prior to the pervasive use of MenACWY vaccines. Furthermore, serogroup B meningococcal disease declined despite the fact that MenB vaccines were unavailable until the end of 2014.
These studies indicate that MenACWY vaccines provided protection to those who received them, but not to the larger, unvaccinated population. Experts also believe that MenB vaccines do not provide unvaccinated people with protection through population immunity.
Mild problems following MenACWY vaccination can include:
These typically last one or two days.
Mild side effects might occur after getting a MenB vaccination, these can include:
These usually last for 3 or 5 days.