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Meningococcal disease and vaccination information

As many of you are aware from the email sent by the Dean of Students 11/23,  two students, who are off campus have been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. The following information from the CDC provides information about meningococcal disease as well as recommendations for vaccination.

There are two types of meningococcal vaccines for preteens and teens:

  • Meningococcal conjugate vaccines (Menactra® or Menveo®)
  • Serogroup B meningococcal vaccines (Bexsero® or Trumenba®)

All 11 to 12 year olds should be vaccinated with a meningococcal conjugate vaccine, with a booster dose given at 16 years old. All teens may also be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine, preferably at 16 through 18 years old.

As for adults receiving vaccine or booster, the CDC recommends the following:

Meningococcal vaccines are recommended for certain groups of adults at increased risk for meningococcal disease. Each meningococcal vaccine is listed below with which groups of adults are recommended to get it.

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine Recommendations

Adults should get a meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra® or Menveo®) if they:

  • Have a rare type of disorder (complement component deficiency)
  • Are taking a medicine called Soliris®
  • Have a damaged spleen or their spleen has been removed
  • Have HIV
  • Are a microbiologist who is routinely exposed to Neisseria meningitidis
  • Are traveling to or residing in countries in which the disease is common
  • Are part of a population identified to be at increased risk because of a serogroup A, C, W, or Y meningococcal disease outbreak
  • Are not up to date with this vaccine and are a first-year college student living in a residence hall
  • Are a military recruit

Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccine Recommendations

Adults should get a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (Bexsero® or Trumenba®) if they:

  • Have a rare type of disorder (complement component deficiency)
  • Are taking a medicine called Soliris®
  • Have a damaged spleen or their spleen has been removed
  • Are a microbiologist who is routinely exposed to Neisseria meningitidis
  • Are part of a population identified to be at increased risk because of a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak

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