When to Get Your Teen Vaccinated for Meningitis
Meningitis is a serious condition that causes swelling in the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Early symptoms like high fever and severe headache can often look like a cold or the flu, making it easy to miss.
The most common causes of meningitis are viral and bacterial infections. Other less common causes include fungi, parasites, or certain medications and illnesses.
Viral meningitis is the most common type, but bacterial meningitis tends to be more serious. It can progress quickly and lead to severe complications or even death.
One of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in teens and young adults in the United States is Neisseria meningitidis, a type of bacteria. Vaccines can help protect against this infection. Knowing which ones are recommended and when can help you stay one step ahead.
Types of vaccines
Meningitis vaccines target specific serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two main types for teens and young adults.
MenACWY (meningococcal conjugate vaccine) protects against the four serogroups A, C, W, and Y. This vaccine is given in two doses: the first dose at age 11 or 12 years, and a booster at age 16 years. Many colleges require proof of the MenACWY vaccination, typically within 5 years before starting school. The CDC also recommends the MenACWY vaccine for people as young as 2 months old who are at higher risk for meningococcal disease.
MenB (serogroup B meningococcal vaccine) protects against the B serogroup. It's typically given in a two-dose series, starting between the ages of 16 and 18 years. A booster may be given 1 year later and then every 2 to 3 years after for those who remain at risk. While any teen can get the MenB vaccine, the CDC especially recommends it for preteens and teens at increased risk due to health conditions or community outbreaks.
For teens who need protection against all five major serogroups, the FDA approved a single-dose vaccine called Penbraya. This pentavalent vaccine covers serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y in one shot. The CDC recommends it for people ages 10 to 25 years who are due for both MenACWY and MenB at the same visit.
When to get vaccinated
The key to the meningitis vaccines is to make sure that your teen gets them at the right time. The CDC recommends giving meningococcal vaccines at specific ages to offer the strongest protection during high risk years.
MenACWY
The MenACWY vaccine recommended guidelines:
Ages 11 to 12 years: All preteens should get their first dose of the MenACWY vaccine during this time.
Age 16 years: A booster dose is recommended to maintain protection through late adolescence and into college.
If the first dose happens after age 16 years: A booster isn't needed. However, earlier vaccination is recommended to help protect teens during their high school years.
College students: First-year students living in dorms or shared housing should get vaccinated if they missed it earlier or didn't get a booster.
Age 2 months and up (for those at higher risk): MenACWY may be recommended earlier for children with certain health conditions, such as a weakened immune system or a damaged or missing spleen.
MenB
The MenB vaccine is recommended for:
Ages 16 to 18 years: This is the recommended age for the MenB vaccine. Most teens will receive a two-dose series at this time, spaced several months apart, depending on the brand.
Ages 16 to 23 years: The vaccine is approved for anyone in this age group. Teens can still get vaccinated later if they haven't already.
Ages 10 years and up (for those at higher risk): The MenB vaccine may be recommended for children with certain health conditions, such as immune system disorders or a damaged spleen, or during community outbreaks.
If you're unsure whether your teen needs the MenB vaccine, talk with their doctor to help decide what's right for them.
How long does protection last?
Meningitis vaccine protection doesn't last forever. Research has found that its effectiveness can decrease over time.
A 2021 study found that MenACWY effectiveness dropped to around 61% between ages 3 and 8 years after the initial dose. That's why a booster at age 16 years is recommended even if your teen was vaccinated as a preteen.
MenB protection doesn't last as long as MenACWY. The CDC notes that antibody levels begin to decline within 1 to 2 years after completing the primary MenB vaccine series.
Is it too late to get vaccinated?
The answer to this question isn't so clear-cut. If your teen hasn't been vaccinated yet or had their first dose years ago, there's still time to catch up. This is especially important for older teens heading to college, where shared housing and close contact can increase the risk of exposure.
Adults can also get vaccinated if their doctor recommends it. Certain situations, such as having a spleen removed, joining the military, or traveling to countries where meningococcal disease is more common, may require added protection.
What happens if you skip a vaccination?
Skipping the meningitis vaccination doesn't necessarily mean that your teen will develop the condition. But it does leave them more vulnerable to a fast-moving and potentially life threatening infection. Vaccination is the best defense against bacterial meningitis, which tends to be more aggressive and serious than other types.
Antibiotics can treat bacterial meningitis, but they work best when given early, as symptoms can progress quickly. Other forms of meningitis are harder to treat. Antivirals may help in some cases of viral meningitis. But for mild viral meningitis, rest and monitoring are usually all that's needed. Symptoms typically go away on their own within 7 to 10 days.
Antifungals and other medications can be used for other less common forms of meningitis, such as fungal and parasitic types. But they're typically only used after the infection has already taken hold.
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