Use of Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccines in Adolescents and Young Adults

What is currently recommended?

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends routine vaccination of all adolescents aged 11–18 years with a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). A single dose should be administered at age 11 or 12 years with a booster dose at age 16 years for persons who receive the first dose before age 16 years. Routine vaccination of certain persons at increased risk for meningococcal disease with MenACWY and serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccine is also recommended.

Why are the recommendations being modified now?

Two serogroup B meningococcal vaccines were recently licensed by the Food and Drug Administration and approved for use in persons aged 10–25 years. The evidence supporting the use of MenB vaccines in adolescents and young adults was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework. The recommendation was designated as Category B (recommended for individual clinical decision making).

What are the new recommendations?

A MenB vaccine series may be administered to adolescents and young adults aged 16–23 years to provide short-term protection against most strains of serogroup B meningococcal disease. The preferred age for MenB vaccination is 16–18 years.