Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly with devastating consequencesdevastating consequences1-4

Though uncommon, meningococcal disease is extremely dangerous and can strike even healthy teens without warning5

Up to

1 in

5

cases results in permanent or long-term disabilities, including seizure disorders, hearing loss, cognitive impairment, and limb amputations.3,4

older teen in a wheelchair with long term disability from meningococcal disease

Actor portrayal.

1 in

10

cases is fatal. Progression from flu-like symptoms to death can occur in as little as 24 to 48 hours.1-3,6

sick teen huddled in blanket

Actor portrayal.

Meningococcal transmission can increase adolescent risk7
Banner that reads meningococcal transmission can increase adolescent risk
Close contact activities and behaviors that can increase the chances of meningococcal transmission may include7:
icon for sharing drinks, vapes, or cosmetics can increase the risk of meningococcal transmission
Sharing drinks, food, vapes, or cosmetics
icon for kissing or hugging can increase the risk of meningococcal transmission
Kissing or
hugging
icon for coughing or sneezing in close proximity can increase the risk of meningococcal transmission
Coughing or sneezing with close and prolonged contact
icon for living in close quarters can increase the risk of meningococcal transmission
Living in
close quarters
syringe icon for vaccination against the 5 most common meningococcal serogroups
Help them get CDC-recommended protection—make sure your older adolescent patients are fully vaccinated against all 5 leading meningococcal serogroups: A, B, C, W, and Y.8-10
icon for gaps in vaccine coverage against the 5 leading serogroups leaves many teens at risk for meningococcal disease

Gaps in Coverage

Gaps in coverage against all 5 leading serogroups leave most older adolescents at risk9,11

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A New Option

Learn about a new vaccine that could help you close gaps in coverage12

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CDC=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

References

  1. Cohn AC, MacNeil JR, Harrison LH, et al. Changes in Neisseria meningitidis disease epidemiology in the United States, 1998–2007: implications for prevention of meningococcal disease. Clin Infect Dis. 2010;50(2):184-191.

  2. Meningitis. World Health Organization. Accessed April 27, 2023. https://www.who.int/health-topics/meningitis#tab=tab_2

  3. Meningococcal disease: diagnosis, treatment, and complications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last reviewed February 7, 2022. Accessed March 21, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/diagnosis-treatment.html

  4. Martinón-Torres F. Deciphering the burden of meningococcal disease: conventional and under-recognized elements. J Adolesc Health. 2016;59(2):S12-S20.

  5. Vaccines and preventable diseases: meningococcal vaccination for preteens and teens: information for parents. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last reviewed October 12, 2021. Accessed September 22, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mening/public/adolescent-vaccine.html

  6. Thompson MJ, Ninis N, Perera R, et al. Clinical recognition of meningococcal disease in children and adolescents. Lancet. 2006;367(9508):397-403.

  7. ‌Meningococcal disease: causes and how it spreads. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last reviewed February 7, 2022. Accessed September 22, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/causes-transmission.html

  8. Vaccines and preventable diseases: meningococcal vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last reviewed October 12, 2021. Accessed August 2, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mening/index.html

  9. Purmohamad A, Abasi E, Azimi T, et al. Global estimate of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups proportion in invasive meningococcal disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Microb Pathog. 2019;134:103571.

  10. Mbaeyi SA, Bozio CH, Duffy J, et al. Meningococcal vaccination: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2020. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2020;69(9):1-41.

  11. Pingali C, Yankey D, Elam-Evans LD, et al. Vaccination coverage among adolescents aged 13–17 years—National Immunization Survey–Teen, United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023;72(34):912-919.

  12. Kroger A, Bahta L, Long S, Sanchez P. Vaccine recommendations and guidelines of the ACIP: general best practice guidelines for immunization. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed August 31, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/generalrecs/downloads/general-recs.pdf