Meningococcal vaccines (MenACWY, MenB)
Meningococcal Vaccination
Pronounced (muh-nin-jeh-KOK-ul)
Vaccines can help prevent meningococcal disease, which is any type of illness caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. There are 2 types of meningococcal vaccines available in the United States:
Meningococcal conjugate or MenACWY vaccines (Menactra®, Menveo®, and MenQuadfi®)
Serogroup B meningococcal or MenB vaccines (Bexsero®and Trumenba®)
All 11 to 12 year olds should get a MenACWY vaccine, with a booster dose at 16 years old. Teens and young adults (16 through 23 years old) also may get a MenB vaccine. CDC also recommends meningococcal vaccination for other children and adults who are at increased risk for meningococcal disease.
CDC recommends routine MenACWY vaccination for:
All preteens and teens at 11 to 12 years old with a booster dose at 16 years old
Children and adults at increased risk for meningococcal disease
CDC recommends routine MenB vaccination for:
People 10 years or older at increased risk for meningococcal disease