Meningococcal Vaccinations

Meningococcal is a severe bacterial infection that can cause meningitis, bloodstream infection, and other localized infections. Meningococcal disease is an infection of the brain and spinal cord and often leads to brain damage and death.

This vaccination is recommended as part of childhood immunizations at age 2, with an additional vaccination to boost immunity at age 18 or in the event of a community outbreak. Contact us for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms?

Meningitis is characterized by fever, headache, and stiff neck. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and mental status changes.

Meningococcal bacteremia is a bloodstream infection characterized by sudden onset of fever and in severe cases a petechial or purpuric rash.

What are the complications?

Meningococcal disease can lead to death or permanent impairment, including hearing loss, mental impairment, or loss of limbs.

Meningococcal bacteremia can result in multiple organ system failure, shock, and death. Other manifestations of meningococcal disease include pneumonia, and less commonly, pericarditis, myocarditis, arthritis, conjunctivitis, urethritis, pharyngitis and cervicitis.

How is it transmitted?

It is spread by direct contact with large droplet respiratory secretions. Close household contacts of persons with meningococcal disease are at greatly increased risk of infection.

As an adult, do I need it?

You should get a vaccine if:

You are a college freshmen living in a dormitory
You are a military recruit
You have a damaged spleen or your spleen has been removed
You have terminal complement deficiency
You are a microbiologist who is routinely exposed to Neisseria meningitidis (the causal pathogen)
You are traveling or residing in countries in which the disease is common.

Meningococcal Vaccine Information Statement (PDF44KB)

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