The ACIP Recommendations for the Meningococcal Vaccine

Summary: 

• For MenACWY, the first dose is recommended at age 11-12, followed by a booster at age 16.

• If MenB is recommended, patients should receive it at age 16 either as a separate shot (MenB-4C or MenB-FHbp) along with the MenACWY booster or as the combination shot MenACWY-TT/MenB-FHbp which should be followed by a MenB-FHbp booster in 6 months. 

• In patients who have received 2 doses of MenACWY but have not received MenB at age 16, then MenB-4C or MenB-FHbp should be given and they can be taken up until age 23 

ACIP recommends MenACWY vaccination for the following groups:

• Ages 11 or 12 years, with a booster dose at age 16 years
• Routine and booster vaccination of persons aged ≥2 monthsat increased risk for meningococcal:
  • Persons with certain medical conditions including anatomic or functional asplenia, complement component deficiencies, complement inhibitor use, or HIV infection
  • Microbiologists with routine exposure to Neisseria meningitidis isolates
  • Persons at increased risk during an outbreak (e.g., in community or organizational settings, and among men who have sex with men)
  • Persons who travel to or live in countries where meningococcal disease is hyperendemic or epidemic
  • Unvaccinated or under vaccinated first-year college students living in residence halls
  • Military recruits

ACIP recommends MenB vaccination for the following groups:

• Routine and booster vaccination of persons aged ≥10 years at increased risk for meningococcal disease:
  • Persons with certain medical conditions, such as anatomic or functional asplenia, complement component deficiencies, or complement inhibitor use
  • Microbiologists with routine exposure to N. meningitidis isolates
  • Persons at increased risk during an outbreak (e.g., in community or organizational settings, and among men who have sex with men)

TABLE. Recommended timing of meningococcal vaccine doses* † within the routine schedule” based on the outcome of shared clinical decision-making regarding meningococcal B vaccine — United States, 2023