Meningococcal Vaccination or MenACWY is used to protect children against the most common types of meningococcal bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis– often the cause of meningitis. It is administered as follows;
- Routine vaccination – The meningococcal vaccination is given as a 2-dose series administered at 11-12 years and 16 years.
- Catch-up vaccination – Catch-up vaccination can be administered to persons aged 13-15 years with the 1st dose given during that period and a booster at the age of 16-18 years and with a minimum interval of 8 weeks. Persons 16-18 years should get 1 dose of the meningococcal vaccine.
Special Situations
The following special situations apply when administering MenACWY;
Persons with Anatomic or functional asplenia (which includes sickle cell disease), persistent complement component deficiency, HIV infection, and complement inhibitor (e.g., eculizumab, ravulizumab) should receive the vaccine as follows;
- Menevo – If the vaccine is given at the age of 8 weeks, it should be given as a 4-dose series at the ages of 2, 4, 6, 12 months. If the first 1st dose is given at the age of 3-6 months, the vaccine can be given in a 2 or 4-dose series. Dose 2 should be administered within an 8 weeks interval (as well as dose 3 if applicable) until a dose is administered at age 7 months or above. An additional dose should be given 12 weeks later and the last dose at the age of 12 months. If the first dose is given at the age of 7-23 months, the vaccine should be given in a 2-dose series with the 2nd dose at least 12 weeks after the 1st dose and 12 months after. If the 1st dose is administered at the age of 24 months or older, the vaccine should be given in a 2-dose series with an interval of 8 weeks.
- Menactra – The vaccine is recommended for persons with persistent complement component deficiency or complement inhibitor. Persons aged 9-23 months can be given the vaccine as a 2-dose series with an interval of at least 12 weeks. Persons aged 24 months or older can be given the vaccine as a 2-dose series with an interval of at least 8 weeks. Also, persons with Anatomic or functional asplenia, sickle cell disease, or HIV infection can use Menactra. It is not recommended for persons aged 9-23 months. Persons aged 24 months or older are given the vaccine as a 2-dose series with an 8 weeks interval. Menactra should be administered at least 4 weeks after the completion of the PCV13.
- Menquadfi – If dose 1 is given at the age of 24 months or older, a 2-dose series should be adopted with an interval of at least 8 weeks between doses.
Persons traveling to countries with hyperendemic or epidemic meningococcal disease, which includes countries in the African meningitis belt or during the Hajj, should consider the following guidelines;
- Children aged less than 24 months – Menevo is recommended for children aged 2-23 months. If the 1st dose is given at the age of 8 weeks, a 4-dose series with vaccination at the ages of 2, 4, 6, and 12 months can be used. If the 1st dose was administered between 3-6 months, either a 3 or 4-dose series can be used. An 8 weeks interval can be used up to the 3rd dose (if applicable) such that a dose is given at the age of 7 months or older. An additional dose can be given 12 weeks later and after the age of 12 months. If the 1st dose is given between ages 3-23 months, a 2-dose series is adopted, with the 2nd dose being administered at least 12 weeks after the 1st dose and after the age of 12 months.
Menactra can be given to children aged between 9-23 months with a 2-dose series. The 2nd dose is given at least 12 weeks after the 1st dose; however, it can be given to the person as early as 8 weeks after administering the 1st dose for travelers.
- For children aged 2 years or older – 1 dose of either Menevo, Manctra, or MenQuadfi is administered.
First-year college students living in residential housing (and have not been previously vaccinated at the age of 16 years or older) or military recruits should receive 1 dose of either Menevo, Menactra, or MenQuadfi.
- Adolescents who received MenACWY prior to the age of 10 years should be vaccinated as follows;
- Boosters are recommended – Boosters are recommended for children with an increased risk of meningococcal disease, for example, due to complement deficiency or HIV.
- Boosters not recommended – Boosters are not recommended for children who are healthy and received a single dose of MenACWY, for example, due to travel to a country that is meningococcal endemic. MenACWY can be given in 2 doses – dose 1 at 11-12 years and dose 2 at 16 years.
Note: Menactra has to be administered either prior to or at the same time as DTaP.
Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccination Schedule
MenB vaccine is recommended for use under specific circumstances, usually in colleges when vaccination is needed or when there is a bacterial meningitis outbreak. MenB vaccine is administered as follows;
- Shared clinical decision-making – Based on shared clinical decision-making, adolescents aged 16-23 years (preferably 16-18 years) and not at increased risks can be vaccinated by MenB vaccine as follows;
- Bexsero can be administered as a 2-dose series administered at an interval of at least 1 month between doses.
- Trumenba can be administered as a 2-dose series with the doses at least 6 months apart. However, if dose 2 was administered before 6 months, a 3rd dose should be administered at least 4 months after the 2nd dose.
- Special situations – Special situations associated with MenB vaccine are Anatomic or functional asplenia (such as sickle cell disease), complement inhibitor (e.g., eculizumab, ravulizumab), and persistent complement component deficiency should be handled as follows; Bexsero should be administered as a 2-dose series with at least 1 month between doses. On the other hand, Trumenba should be administered as a 3- dose given at 0, 1-2, and 6 months.
Note: Although both are MenB vaccines still, Trumenba and Bexsero are NOT interchangeable; persons should be administered the same product for all doses in a single series.
Free Templates Available
Creating a vaccination schedule can be hectic. You can select different schedules records and discuss with your doctor the one that is most suitable for your child’s health needs. Try these free templates today:
