Meningococcal Disease

Overview

  • Meningococcal disease is a rare but life-threatening illness. It is caused by bacteria that infect the blood, brain, and spinal cord. It is one of the most serious causes of meningitis.
  • The disease is spread from person to person. It is easily spread in crowded settings. You can catch meningitis from a person who looks healthy.
  • Even with proper treatment, 10% to 15% of people with meningococcal disease die. Of the people who survive, as many as 20% suffer from some serious complication, such as loss of an arm or leg, brain damage, or permanent hearing loss. Meningitis can cause shock, coma, and death within hours of the first symptom.
  • The disease is more likely to occur in older teens and young adults than in most other age groups. If you travel internationally or have certain medical conditions, you may also be at increased risk.
  • Vaccination is the best way to prevent meningitis.

Meningococcal Vaccine Schedule

Meningococcal Vaccine Schedule

Vaccination is the best way to prevent meningitis. There are two different types of meningococcal vaccine: MenACWY (conjugate), and MenB (serogroup B) vaccines, as well as one combination vaccine, MenABCWY, that may be used when MenACWY and MenB vaccines are both needed. MenACWY is given to preteens and teens at 11 or 12 years old, and a booster dose is needed at 16 years old. Teens and young adults 16–23 years old may also be given MenB. People of all ages with certain medical conditions (particularly those without a properly functioning spleen) should be vaccinated and may need to receive booster doses throughout life. Travelers to certain countries should also get vaccinated.

RESOURCES

Meningococcal: Questions and Answers

Information about the disease and vaccines, from Immunize.org.

Partner Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Meningococcal Disease

Find in-depth information about the disease, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention from CDC.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Vaccines for Your Children: Vaccine (Shot) for Meningococcal Disease

Two doses of the meningococcal shot called MenACWY are recommended for preteens and teens by doctors as the best way to protect against meningococcal disease. Learn more about meningococcal and vaccines from CDC. A Spanish-language version is also available.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
A Look at Each Vaccine: Meningococcal Vaccine

Questions and answers about the disease and vaccines, plus a meningococcus infographic, from the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Meningococcus: What You Should Know

A meningococcus fact sheet and Q&A from the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. A Spanish-language version is also available.

Meningitis Angels

Meningitis Angels is a nonprofit organization composed of survivors and families of meningitis victims supporting other families affected by meningitis.

PERSONAL TESTIMONIES

Ryan Milley

My name is Frankie Milley. This is my story of the needless death of my only child, Ryan, to a vaccine-preventable form of bacterial meningitis.

Read more.

Ryan Hokensmith

Ryan Hockensmith, a senior at Penn State majoring in journalism, writes about his three-week battle with meningococcal meningitis.

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Joseph Kepferle

Joseph Kepferle’s father describes the pain of having a healthy college-aged son become ill and die within 24 hours of meningococcal meningitis.

Read more.
View All Testimonies
MENINGOCOCCAL PHOTOS

Warning: Some of the images are graphic.

View All Meningococcal Photos