Is There a Vaccine for Meningitis?
Key takeaways:
There are two types of meningococcal vaccines available in the U.S. These include meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccines and serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccines.
MenACWY is recommended for preteens and teens as part of their childhood vaccines. MenB may be recommended for people with certain risk factors.
Your insurance will likely cover your meningococcal vaccine if it’s recommended for you. Discuss your vaccine eligibility with your healthcare provider.
Meningitis is the swelling of the membranes that protect your brain and spinal cord. It can have a number of causes, including infections (e.g., bacterial, viral), injuries, and cancer. Meningitis can also have serious consequences, including loss of hearing, brain damage, or limb amputation.
The most common cause of meningitis in children and teens is meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. It’s a serious but rare infection that can cause bacterial meningitis, as well as bloodstream infections.
Luckily, meningococcal disease has become less common in the U.S. largely due to vaccines. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent meningococcal disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has specific recommendations for who should get vaccinated and when.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about meningococcal vaccination, including who should get vaccinated and what to expect.
Is there a vaccine for meningitis?
In the U.S., there are five different vaccines that help protect against meningococcal disease, which can cause bacterial meningitis. Of these five vaccines, there are two groups — meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccines and serogroup B (MenB) vaccines.
MenACWY vaccines
There are three available MenACWY vaccines: Menactra, Menveo, and MenQuadfi. These vaccines protect against the A, C, W, and Y types of meningococcal disease. They can be used in both young children and adults.
Read more like this
Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.
The vaccines are given to preteens, teens, and others at higher risk of meningococcal disease as a two-dose series. As part of the standard childhood dosing schedule, the CDC recommends that kids should receive their first dose at 11 to 12 years old. A second dose (booster) is recommended at 16 years old.
The CDC also recommends MenACWY vaccines for children between 2 months and 10 years old and adults in certain situations. These situations include having certain medical conditions, taking certain medications, and traveling to countries where the A, C, W, and Y types of meningococcal disease are common.
A single vaccine dose is recommended for first-year college students living in a residence hall who aren’t up to date with meningococcal vaccination, as well as and military recruits.
If you have a condition putting you at a higher risk for meningococcal disease, a MenACWY vaccine booster dose is recommended every 5 years.
MenB vaccines
There are two available MenB vaccines: Bexsero and Trumenba. These vaccines protect against the serogroup B type of meningococcal disease. They can only be given to people ages 10 and older.
The MenB vaccines are recommended in people ages 10 and older who have certain risk factors. However, people ages 16 to 23 years old without these risk factors can also choose to get the vaccine. In this case, the CDC suggests receiving it between ages 16 to 18 years old.
These vaccines are also given as a two-dose series. Trumenba also has a three-dose option for people 10 years or older who have a medical condition that puts them at greater risk of meningococcal disease.
If you have a condition that raises your risk of meningococcal disease, a booster dose of MenB vaccine is recommended a year after you receive your original two or three-dose series. Then, a booster dose is recommended every 2 to 3 years.
Is there anyone who shouldn’t receive a meningococcal vaccine?
If you’re not in the recommended age range or have the specific risk factors, you likely don’t need a meningococcal vaccine. But it’s always good to check with your healthcare provider if you’re unsure.
There are a few other situations where you shouldn’t get a meningococcal vaccine. This is the case if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to a meningococcal vaccine in the past. Similarly, you shouldn’t get it if you have a severe allergy to any of the vaccine’s ingredients.
Let your healthcare provider know if you’re pregnant, nursing, or if you’re sick before getting a meningococcal vaccine. They’ll determine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
What are the meningococcal vaccine side effects?
As with any other vaccine, you may have side effects after getting a meningococcal vaccine. The most common reactions are mild and go away after a few days without any problems.
Mild reactions to MenB vaccines seem to last slightly longer (3 to 5 days) than mild reactions to MenACWY vaccines (1 to 2 days).
Common side effects of the MenACWY vaccines include:
Skin irritation (redness, soreness) at the location of the shot
Headache
Muscle pain
Feeling tired
Common side effects of the MenB vaccines include:
Skin irritation (redness, soreness, swelling) at the location of the shot
Headache
Joint or muscle pain
Feeling tired
Chills or fever
Diarrhea or nausea
Serious but rare side effects from any injected vaccine (as well as meningococcal vaccines) include severe allergic reactions and fainting. Sit or lay down for about 15 minutes after receiving a vaccine if you’re feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
How long do meningococcal vaccines last?
Like many vaccines, the protective effects of meningococcal vaccines lessen over time. That’s why booster doses are important for teens and other people at high risk for meningococcal disease.
Experts believe that within 5 years, the effects of MenACWY vaccines in teens begin to wear off. For the MenB vaccines, it’s suggested that protection goes down within 1 to 2 years after getting the vaccine series.
How much does a meningococcal vaccine cost?
The cash price for meningococcal vaccines differs slightly between each one. But, many people don’t pay the cash price for these vaccines. That’s because they’re usually covered by insurance. Below are average retail and GoodRx prices for each vaccine (as of January 21, 2022).
| Vaccine | Average retail price | GoodRx price (as low as) |
|---|---|---|
| Menactra | $180 | $147 |
| Menveo | $165 | $151 |
| MenQuadfi | N/A | $170 |
| Bexsero | $233 | $196 |
| Trumenba | N/A | $171 |
The CDC lists meningococcal vaccines as one of the vaccines usually covered by private insurance. Insurance companies are required to cover vaccines based on recommendations from the CDC.
So, if your healthcare provider determines that a meningococcal vaccine is recommended in your situation, your insurance will likely cover it. But it’s always best to check with your insurance company if you’re unsure.
The Vaccines for Children program also offers vaccines at no cost for children who are eligible (e.g., uninsured, underinsured).
Getting your meningococcal vaccine
If you think you may need a meningococcal vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider. They will help you figure out if the meningococcal vaccine is right for you.
Your primary care provider’s office usually carries meningococcal vaccines and many retail pharmacies may carry them as well. It’s a good idea to call ahead to make sure it’s in stock.
It’s also a good idea to check your insurance coverage to see if the vaccine will be covered better at a provider’s office or at a pharmacy. Other places to get meningococcal vaccines can include community health clinics and public health departments.
The bottom line
Meningitis is a rare but serious condition. But a common type of bacterial meningitis can be prevented through vaccination.
The CDC recommends meningococcal vaccines primarily for preteens and teens as part of their routine vaccine schedule. And if you have certain risk factors, a meningococcal vaccine may be recommended.
Most side effects are mild and go away after a few days. Protection lasts from 1 to 5 years, depending on the vaccine. You can get a meningococcal vaccine from your primary care provider’s office or pharmacy, as well as other public health locations.
Why trust our experts?
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). VFC: Vaccines for Children Program.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). How to pay for vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Meningitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Meningococcal disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). About meningococcal vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Birth-18 years immunization schedule.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Meningococcal vaccine recommendations.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Meningococcal vaccination: what everyone should know.
MedlinePlus. (2020). Meningococcal meningitis.
National Meningitis Association. (N.d.). About meningococcal disease.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). Meningococcal.
