Meningococcal meningitis is a rare, but potentially deadly, bacterial infection that can take the life of an otherwise healthy pre-teen or teen in as little as one day. And while anyone can get meningococcal disease, adolescents are at an increased risk.

VACCINATION IS THE BEST DEFENSE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the routine MenACWY vaccines at the following ages:

Dose 1:

Dose 2:

Ask your child’s healthcare professional about MenB and other recommended adolescent vaccines. Click here to download this guide to bring to your child’s next healthcare professional visit.

FAST FACTS

Adolescents are at increased risk due to lifestyle factors such as kissing and sharing drinks, yet many could be unprotected in the U.S.:

Nearly 1 in 10 pre-teens do not receive their first dose of the MenACWY vaccination at 11 and 12 years old.

And nearly half of teenagers do not receive the crucial second dose at 16 years old.

MenACWY and other CDC-recommended adolescent vacines like Tdap, HPV, influenza and COVID-19 can be given together.

Image of Symptoms which include fever, headache, stiff neck. Transmission which include kissing, coughing, sharing drinks, and Complications which include hearing loss, brain and kidney damage, and limb amputations.

It’s About Time: Help Stop the Clock on Meningitis is an educational initiative for the CDC-recommended first and second dose of meningococcal meningitis vaccine.

Intended for U.S. Residents Only.