Menactra (Meningococcal vaccine) is now available for children ages 11-12 years, teens entering high school (15 years old), and college freshmen.
Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection. It can cause swelling of the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria are spread through air droplets (coughing, sneezing) and by direct contact with an infected person (kissing, sharing drinking glasses). Adolescents and young adults are at increased risk for contracting the disease. Social behaviors in this age group often involve close personal contact-kissing, smoking, sharing water bottles, and crowded situations.
Since the vaccine is new, only the above age groups will receive the vaccine at the present time to avoid a shortage. As the supply of the vaccine increases, all adolescents will be vaccinated.
Your child will be able to receive the vaccine at their well check up. College bound seniors who have had a physical but did not receive the vaccine should call to schedule an appointment.
• Administer meningitis vaccine at age 11 through 12 years with a booster dose at age 16 years.
• Administer 1 dose at age 13 through 18 years if not previously vaccinated.
• Persons who received their first dose at age 13 through 15 years should receive a booster dose at age 16 through 18 years.
No booster is needed if first dose is received at age 16 years or older.
• Administer 1 dose to previously unvaccinated college freshmen living in a dormitory.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices advised to add a booster dose of the vaccine at age 16 to address waning immunity among older teens against meningococcal bacteria that causes meningitis.
The CDC already recommends routine meningitis vaccination beginning at age 11.
The committee, which advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also recommended that adolescents who get the first dose of the vaccine at age 13 through 15 get a one-time booster dose at age 16 through 18 years.
"We're adding a booster because the current available data show that within five years, there is waning immunity," Alison Patti, a spokesperson with the CDC, said in a telephone interview.
The National Meningitis Association said in a statement it supports ACIP's decision to maintain meningococcal immunization at age 11-12 and to add a booster dose to provide increased prevention of disease among adolescents throughout their high-risk years.
"This is a good public health decision that will protect our children from meningococcal disease," the group said, adding that it will support the changes in educational campaigns.