Meningococcal Vaccination
Pronounced (muh-nin-jeh-KOK-ul)
There is a large, ongoing outbreak of meningococcal disease in Florida, primarily among gay and bisexual men. Vaccines offer the best protection during the outbreak.
En Español: Enfermedad meningocócica en la Florida, 2022
Who Should Get VaccinatedVaccines can help prevent meningococcal disease, which is any type of illness caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. There are 2 types of meningococcal vaccines available in the United States:
- Meningococcal conjugate or MenACWY vaccines (Menactra®, Menveo®, and MenQuadfi®)
- Serogroup B meningococcal or MenB vaccines (Bexsero®and Trumenba®)
All 11 to 12 year olds should get a MenACWY vaccine, with a booster dose at 16 years old. Teens and young adults (16 through 23 years old) also may get a MenB vaccine. CDC also recommends meningococcal vaccination for other children and adults who are at increased risk for meningococcal disease.
Talk with your or your child’s doctor if you have questions about meningococcal vaccines.
CDC recommends routine MenACWY vaccination for:
- All preteens and teens at 11 to 12 years old with a booster dose at 16 years old
- Children and adults at increased risk for meningococcal disease
CDC recommends routine MenB vaccination for:
- People 10 years or older at increased risk for meningococcal disease
- CDC’s Meningitis Website
- CDC’s Meningococcal Disease Website
- CDC’s Sepsis Website
- Meningococcal Information on vaccines.gov
- Meningococcal Vaccine Information Statements
- MenACWY (English / Other Languages)
- MenB (English / Other Languages)
- National Meningitis Association
- Photos of Meningococcal Bacteria and People Affected by Meningococcal Disease
Warning: Some of these photos are graphic.