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Meningococcal Vaccine

Meningococcal vaccine can prevent four types of meningococcal disease. Meningococcal vaccine cannot prevent all types of the disease, but it does help to protect many people who might become sick if they don't get the vaccine.

Two meningococcal vaccines are available in the United States:

• Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) has been available since the 1970s.
• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) was licensed in 2005.

One dose of MCV4 is recommended for children and adolescents aged 11 through 18 years. This dose is normally given during the routine pre-teen health checkup at age 11-12 years. Those who did not get the vaccine during this visit should get it at the earliest opportunity.

Meningococcal vaccine is also recommended for other people at increased risk for meningococcal disease:

• College freshmen living in dormitories.
• Microbiologists who are routinely exposed to meningococcal bacteria.
• United States military recruits.
• Anyone traveling to or living in a part of the world where meningococcal disease is common, such as parts of Africa.
• Anyone who has a damaged spleen or whose spleen has been removed.
• Anyone who has terminal complement component deficiency (an immune system disorder).
• People who might have been exposed to meningitis during an outbreak.

MCV4 is the preferred vaccine for people aged 2-55 years in these risk groups, but MPSV4 can be used if MCV4 is not available. MPSV4 should be used for adults over 55 who are at risk.

Washington State is currently supplying:

• Sanofi Pasteur meningococcal vaccine (MCV4), Menactra. The use of state-supplied vaccine has been expanded to include the original groups recommended for vaccination by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Immunization Guidelines for the Use of State-Supplied Vaccine (PDF, 82 KB) August 20, 2009 
Vaccine Management - Recommendation for Storage and Handling of Vaccines

Vaccine Information Statements:

• Meningococcal

Related Information:

• Vaccine Advisory Committee Recommendation For Use of the Meningococcal Vaccine (PDF, 28 KB)

External Resources:

• National Immunization Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Locate my local health department

 

Last Update: 08/24/2009 10:59 AM