Travelers

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends vaccination against bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria (meningococcal disease) to persons who travel to or reside in countries in which the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis is hyperendemic or epidemic, particularly if contact with the local population will be prolonged. The MCV4 vaccine is preferred for persons aged 2-55 years. MPSV4 is the recommended vaccine for persons over age 55; MPSV4 is also an acceptable alternative for persons aged 2-55 years.

Vaccination against meningococcal disease is not a requirement for travel to any country except Saudi Arabia, where travelers to Mecca during the annual Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage must have proof of vaccination with quadrivalent vaccine in the last 3 years. Vaccination is recommended for persons traveling to the meningitis belt in Africa during the dry season, December through June. Advisories for travelers to other countries will be issued when epidemics of meningococcal disease caused by vaccine-preventable serogroups are recognized.

For more information on meningitis recommendations for travelers, visit the meningococcal section of the CDC Travelers’ Health website.