Meningococcal

There are 3 types of meningococcal vaccines used in the United States:

• Meningococcal conjugate or MenACWY vaccines
• Serogroup B meningococcal or MenB vaccines
• Pentavalent or MenABCWY vaccine

Who Should Get Meningococcal Vaccines?

CDC recommends meningococcal vaccination for all preteens and teens. In certain situations, CDC also recommends other children and adults get meningococcal vaccines. Below is more information about which meningococcal vaccines, including booster shots, CDC recommends for people by age.

Preteens and Teens

All 11 to 12 year olds should get a MenACWY vaccine, with a booster shot at 16 years old. Teens may also get a MenB vaccine, preferably at 16 through 18 years old.

Taking a complement inhibitor such as eculizumab (Soliris®) or ravulizumab (Ultomiris®) increases your risk for meningococcal disease. Even if you received meningococcal vaccines, you could still get meningococcal disease.

While any teen may choose to get a MenB vaccine, certain preteens and teens should get it if they:

• Have a rare type of immune disorder called complement component deficiency
• Are taking a type of medicine called a complement inhibitor (for example, Soliris® or Ultomiris®)
• Have a damaged spleen or sickle cell disease, or their spleen has been removed
• Are part of a population identified to be at increased risk because of a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak

Babies and Children

CDC recommends MenACWY vaccination for children who are between 2 months and 10 years old if they:

• Have a rare type of immune disorder called complement component deficiency
• Are taking a type of medicine called a complement inhibitor (for example, Soliris® or Ultomiris®)
• Have a damaged spleen or sickle cell disease, or their spleen has been removed
• Have HIV
• Are traveling to or residing in countries in which serogroup A, C, W, or Y meningococcal disease is common
• Are part of a population identified to be at increased risk because of a serogroup A, C, W, or Y meningococcal disease outbreak

Adults

CDC recommends MenACWY vaccination for adults if they:

• Have a rare type of immune disorder called complement component deficiency
• Are taking a type of medicine called a complement inhibitor (for example, Soliris® or Ultomiris®)
• Have a damaged spleen or sickle cell disease, or their spleen has been removed
• Have HIV
• Are a microbiologist who is routinely exposed to Neisseria meningitidis
• Are traveling to or residing in countries in which serogroup A, C, W, or Y meningococcal disease is common
• Are part of a population identified to be at increased risk because of a serogroup A, C, W, or Y meningococcal disease outbreak
• Are not up to date with this vaccine and are a first-year college student living in a residence hall
• Are a military recruit