Meningococcal vaccines protect against infections caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis (meningococci). Meningococcal infections can lead to meningitis (an infection of tissue covering the brain), dangerously low blood pressure (shock), and death. These bacteria are the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children and the second leading cause of bacterial meningitis in adults.
For more information, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Meningococcal ACWY vaccine information statement and Meningococcal B vaccine information statement.
Vaccine Type
There are several specific types (called serogroups) of Neisseria meningitidis. Meningococcal vaccines protect against the serogroups that cause most meningococcal infections (serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y).
There are 3 types of meningococcal vaccines available in the United States:
MenACWY vaccines: These vaccines protect against serogroups A, C, W, and Y (see CDC: Meningococcal ACWY vaccine information statement).
MenB vaccines: These vaccines protect against serogroup B. The recombinant protein vaccine is available to prevent infection by one type of meningitis bacteria that has become common in outbreaks among college students or other high-risk groups (see CDC: Meningococcal B vaccine information statement).
MenABCWY vaccines: These vaccines protect against serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y.
MenACWY vaccines are conjugate vaccines, which means they contain a piece of the bacteria that does not cause infection and a specific piece of another bacteria (such as its protein). Because these pieces of the bacteria are harmless, they cannot cause a meningococcal infection, but they do trigger a strong response from a person's immune system (see Active immunization).
MenB vaccines are recombinant, which means they contain only certain parts of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria (such as its protein). These vaccines contain a harmless version of the bacterial protein that is manufactured in a laboratory and is recombined with other substances. The body's immune system is then able to recognize and fight the bacterial protein if a person becomes infected (see Active immunization).
MenABCWY vaccines are combination vaccines that include both conjugate and recombinant proteins.
Dose of and Recommendations for Meningococcal Vaccine
Meningococcal vaccines are injected into a muscle. The number of doses a person receives is based on their age and other factors.
People who should get this vaccine
MenACWY vaccine is a routine childhood vaccination . Two doses are given: 1 at age 11 to 12 years and 1 at age 16 years. (See CDC: Recommended Immunizations for Children 7–18 Years Old, United States, 2025 and American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP]: Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for Ages 18 Years or Younger.)
MenACWY vaccine is also recommended for younger children who are at increased risk of meningococcal infection, such as those without a spleen or their spleen does not work well and those with certain immunodeficiency disorders. The minimum age for the vaccine varies from 6 weeks to 9 months, depending on the formulation used.
MenACWY vaccine may be given to pregnant people who are at increased risk of infection.
MenACWY vaccine is also recommended for the following people:
People who do not have a spleen or their spleen does not work well (including those with sickle cell disease)
People with HIV infection
People with certain immunodeficiency disorders
People who take eculizumab or ravulizumab (medications that block the complement system)
Microbiologists and other laboratory personnel who are routinely exposed to the bacteria
Adolescents 11 to 18 years old if they have not already been vaccinated
All first-year college students who live in dormitories who are 21 years old or younger and who have not been given a dose of the vaccine on or after their 16th birthday
All military recruits
Travelers to or residents of areas where the infection is common
People who have been exposed during a meningitis outbreak
People over age 55 who are at risk of meningococcal infection, who have not received the vaccine previously, and who require only 1 dose (for example, travelers)
MenB vaccine can be given to people 10 years of age or older who have certain high-risk conditions and to people who are at increased risk of meningococcal infection because of a meningococcal disease outbreak caused by serogroup B. People may be given 2 to 4 doses at various intervals depending on the vaccine formulation.
MenB vaccine may also be given to anyone 16 to 23 years of age who wants it, even if they do not have certain high-risk conditions and are not at increased risk of getting the infection. The preferred age for vaccination is 16 to 18 years. Two doses are given 6 months apart.
MenABCWY vaccine may be given to people 10 to 25 years of age. This combination vaccine is an alternative to separate MenACWY and MenB vaccines when both vaccines would be given on the same day. One dose is given.
People who should not get this vaccine
People who have had a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction (such as an anaphylactic reaction) to any component in any meningococcal vaccine or to a previous dose of any meningococcal vaccine should not receive it.
MenB may not be given to people who are sensitive to latex because the tip caps of prefilled MenB syringes contain natural rubber, which may cause allergic reactions.
MenB vaccine should not be given to pregnant people unless they are at increased risk of infection caused by serogroup B and the benefits of vaccination outweigh potential risks.
If people have a temporary illness, doctors usually wait to give any meningococcal vaccine until the illness resolves (see also CDC: Who Should NOT Get Vaccinated With These Vaccines?).
Side Effects of Meningococcal Vaccine
Side effects are usually mild and may include soreness, swelling, and redness at the injection site. Some people have headaches and feel tired. A few people may have a fever.
For more information about side effects, see the package inserts.
More Information
The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that The Manual is not responsible for the content of this resource.
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): Meningococcal Disease: Recommended vaccinations
