Meningococcal vaccine

Routine vaccinations are an important way to protect yourself and your community. They lower the risk of getting potentially severe diseases. And they can reduce your chances of complications if you do get sick.

Advocate Health Care makes it simple to get the vaccines you need. Our preventive care team is there for you in multiple convenient locations throughout the Chicago metro area.

What is the meningococcal vaccine?

The meningococcal vaccine is an immunization that protects against meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial disease that can lead to meningitis, or inflammation in the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Meningococcal meningitis can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets. However, thanks to vaccination, the infection is now very rare.

Who needs the meningitis vaccine?

Health care providers recommend the meningitis vaccine for all adolescents and young adults. Babies, younger children and adults may need the meningococcal vaccine if they:

• Have been identified as high-risk because of exposure to a meningococcal disease outbreak
• Have certain immune disorders, sickle cell disease, HIV or have had their spleen removed
• Need travel vaccinations before going to a country where the risk of meningococcal disease is high
• Take complement inhibitor medications (Ultomiris® or Soliris®)

At what age is the meningococcal vaccine given?

Health care providers recommend getting the meningococcal vaccine between ages 11 and 18, depending on the vaccine type.

Meningococcal vaccine schedule

A teen’s or young adult’s age will affect which meningococcal vaccine is recommended. The FDA has approved two vaccines for meningitis protection: meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) and serogroup B meningococcal (MenB).

For the MenACWY vaccine, experts recommend getting the shot at:

• 11 to 12 years old, with a booster dose at 16 years old
• 13 to 18 years old, if teens missed getting the shot at a younger age. Adolescents between 13 and 15 should get an additional booster dose between ages 16 to 18. Teens who get their first shot after 16 don’t need a booster.

For the MenB vaccine, experts recommend getting the shot at 16 to 23 years old. The MenB vaccine is given in two doses at least four weeks apart, ideally when teens are between 16 and 18.

How often do you need the meningococcal vaccine?

Adolescents and teens who get the meningococcal vaccine usually need two doses of the MenACWY or the MenB vaccine. The only exception is teens who get the MenACWY vaccine after age 16.

High-risk babies and adults who get the meningococcal vaccine may or may not need more than one dose. Speak with your health care provider to find out whether you need meningococcal booster shots.

Meningococcal vaccine side effects

Side effects of the meningitis vaccine are rare, but they can happen. Any side effects usually resolve within one to two days after getting the shot. You may experience common meningitis vaccine side effects such as:

• Fatigue
• Fever or chills
• Headache
• Muscle soreness
• Nausea
• Swelling, redness or pain at the injection site