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Who Should Get Meningococcal Vaccines?

CDC recommends vaccination with meningococcal conjugate vaccine for all preteens and teens. In certain situations, other children and adults could be recommended to get meningococcal vaccines. Below is more information about which meningococcal vaccines are recommended for people by age, as well as information on who should not get meningococcal vaccines.

Talk to your or your child’s healthcare professional about what is best for your specific situation.

Preteens and Teens

There are two types of meningococcal vaccines for preteens and teens:

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccines (Menactra® or Menveo®)
• Serogroup B meningococcal vaccines (Bexsero® or Trumenba®)

All 11 to 12 year olds should be vaccinated with a meningococcal conjugate vaccine, with a booster dose given at 16 years old. All teens may also be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine, preferably at 16 through 18 years old.

In addition to a meningococcal conjugate vaccine, certain preteens and teens should get a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine if they:

• Have a rare type of disorder (complement component deficiency)
• Are taking the medicine called Soliris®
• Have a damaged spleen 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

Get more information about meningococcal vaccine recommendations for teenagers: Meningococcal Vaccination for Preteens and Teens: Information for Parents.

Babies and Children

CDC recommends a meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra® or Menveo®) for children who are between 2 months and 10 years old, if they:

• Have a rare type of disorder (complement component deficiency)
• Are taking the medicine called Soliris®
• Have a damaged spleen or their spleen has been removed
• Have HIV
• Are traveling to or residing in countries in which the 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

Talk to your child’s doctor to find out if, and when, they will need booster shots.

CDC recommends a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (Bexsero® or Trumenba®) for children 10 years or older if they:

• Have a rare type of disorder (complement component deficiency)
• Are taking a medicine called Soliris®
• Have a damaged spleen 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

Adults

Meningococcal vaccines are recommended for certain groups of adults at increased risk for meningococcal disease. Each meningococcal vaccine is listed below with which groups of adults are recommended to get it.

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine Recommendations

Adults should get a meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra® or Menveo®) if they:

• Have a rare type of disorder (complement component deficiency)
• Are taking a medicine called Soliris®
• Have a damaged spleen 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 the 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

Talk to your doctor to find out if, and when, you will need booster shots.

Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccine Recommendations

Adults should get a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (Bexsero® or Trumenba®) if they:

• Have a rare type of disorder (complement component deficiency)
• Are taking a medicine called Soliris®
• Have a damaged spleen or their spleen has been removed
• Are a microbiologist who is routinely exposed to Neisseria meningitidis
• Are part of a population identified to be at increased risk because of a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak

Who Should Not Get These Vaccines?

Because of age or health conditions, some people should not get certain vaccines or should wait before getting them. Read the guidelines below and ask your or your child’s healthcare professional for more information.

Tell the person who is giving you or your child a meningococcal vaccine if:

You or your child have had a life-threatening allergic reaction or have a severe allergy.

• Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a previous dose of a meningococcal vaccine should not get another dose of that vaccine.
• Anyone who has a severe allergy to any part of these vaccines should not get another dose of that vaccine. Your child’s healthcare professional can tell you about the vaccine’s ingredients.

You are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccines may be given to pregnant women who are at increased risk for serogroup A, C, W, or Y meningococcal disease.
• Serogroup B meningococcal vaccines should only be given to pregnant or breastfeeding women who are at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease who decide, after talking with a doctor, that the benefits of getting the vaccine outweigh the risk.

You or your child are not feeling well.

• People who have a mild illness, such as a cold, can probably get the vaccine. People who are moderately or severely ill should probably wait until they recover. Your or your child’s healthcare professional can advise you.

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What Types of Meningococcal Vaccines Are There?

There are two types of meningococcal vaccines available in the United States:

• Conjugate vaccines (Menactra® and Menveo®)
• Serogroup B (recombinant) vaccines (Bexsero® and Trumenba®)

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccines

• Menactra®: Two doses are given to preteens and teens. It is also given to certain people at increased risk of meningococcal disease. It helps protect against four types of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease (serogroups A, C, W, and Y).
• Menveo®: Two doses are given to preteens and teens. It is also given to certain people at increased risk of meningococcal disease. It helps protect against four types of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease (serogroups A, C, W, and Y).

Serogroup B (Recombinant) Meningococcal Vaccines

• Bexsero®[11 pages]: It is given as a two-dose series to people 16 through 23 years old who are not at increased risk of meningococcal disease. It is also given as a two-dose series to people 10 years or older at increased risk of meningococcal disease. It helps protect against one type of the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease (serogroup B).
• Trumenba®[11 pages]: It is given as a two-dose series to people 16 through 23 years old who are not at increased risk of meningococcal disease. It is given as a three-dose series to people 10 years or older at increased risk of meningococcal disease. It helps protect against one type of the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease (serogroup B).