Meningococcal vaccine can prevent four types of meningococcal disease. It can't prevent all types of the disease, but it does help protect many people who might become sick if they don't get the vaccine. Two meningococcal vaccines are available in the United States.
The vaccine was licensed in 1978 for people aged two and older. MPSV4 vaccine should only be used if there's a permanent contraindication or precaution to MCV4 vaccine. MPSV4 is not routinely recommended for kids. Only MPSV4 vaccine can be used for high-risk people aged 56 and older. The vaccine is given as an injection into the fat of the arm.
The first type of MCV4 vaccine, Menactra, was licensed in 2005 for people aged 2 through 55 years. A second MCV4 vaccine, Menveo, was licensed in 2010 for people aged 11 through 55 years. MCV4 vaccines are routinely recommended for kids because they’re expected to give better, longer-lasting protection than the MPSV4 vaccine. These vaccines are given in the arm muscle.
Healthy Kids and Teens
Healthy kids and teens aged 11-18 years should get two doses of the MCV4 vaccine at:
Teens who did not get their first dose during the pre-teen health visit
should get a dose at the earliest opportunity. If the first dose was given after
the 16th birthday, a second dose is not needed.
High-Risk Kids and Teens
Kids and teens with HIV, complement component deficiency,
and absent or defective spleens need two doses of the vaccine. They may also
need additional booster doses. Ask your health care provider how many booster
doses your teen needs for full protection.
A single dose of MCV4 is also recommended for:
More information:
Last Update: 08/10/2011 04:10 PM