Certain Medical Conditions as a Risk Factor

There are certain diseases, medications and surgical procedures that may weaken the immune system and increase risk of meningococcal disease. A vaccine is available and recommended for persons with these medical conditions.

Children

The meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) is recommended for children from ages 2 through 10 years of age with certain medical conditions. These conditions include complement component deficiency and functional or anatomic asplenia (no spleen). Children ages 9 through 23 months should also be vaccinated if they have complement component deficiency, but children with functional or anatomic asplenia should wait until they are two years old to make sure they get all their vaccines to protect them against pneumococcal disease first. Booster doses will also be needed for children with these medical conditions. Learn more about which children need to be vaccinated with MCV4.

Adults

Adults who have complement component deficiency or functional or anatomic asplenia (no spleen) are recommended to receive either the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (56 years and older) or the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (19 through 55 years of age). A booster dose is recommended every 5 years if the adult remains at increased risk. Learn more about which adults need to be vaccinated with a meningococcal vaccine.