Are there new meningococcal vaccination recommendations for people in the United States?

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued updated recommendations for meningococcal vaccines in the United States in 2020. These rules now cover routine shots for adolescents and specific vaccines for people at higher risk, such as those with HIV or certain immune system conditions ⁸. The CDC also updated the dosing schedule for the MenB-4C vaccine to match new FDA labels ⁶.

What the research says

For most people, the standard advice is to get a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) at age 11 or 12, with a booster shot at age 16 ⁸. This schedule protects against serogroups A, C, W, and Y. People aged 10 and older can also receive the Pfizer pentavalent meningococcal vaccine under specific guidance ⁷.

People at increased risk, including those with HIV, need a 2-dose series of the MenACWY vaccine ⁸¹⁰. The CDC also recommends these shots for people with complement deficiencies, those taking complement inhibitors, and people with anatomic or functional asplenia ⁸.

For serogroup B disease, the MenB-4C vaccine is now registered in more than 50 countries and has shown high effectiveness in real-world use ⁹. The CDC updated its recommendations for this vaccine to align with the new FDA label regarding dosing intervals ⁶. New recommendations also exist for booster doses of the MenB vaccine for persons at increased risk ⁸.

What to ask your doctor

• Do I need a meningococcal vaccine booster based on my age and health history?
• Am I at increased risk for meningococcal disease due to my HIV status or immune system condition?
• Which meningococcal vaccine brand is recommended for me according to the latest ACIP guidelines?
• Is the MenB-4C vaccine appropriate for my specific risk profile and dosing schedule?