Current Issues Affecting Meningococcal Meningitis Prevention in the U.S.

What challenges are we working to overcome?

It’s important to understand the challenges of comprehensive, equitable meningococcal meningitis prevention in the United States.

Recommendations for the pentavalent meningitis vaccine are difficult to implement in clinical practice.

Close to 50% of healthcare providers were not aware of the correct ACIP recommendation for the MenB vaccine.

Not all healthcare providers routinely discuss the MenB vaccine with their eligible patients.

Few colleges and no schools currently require the MenB vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control is expected to revisit meningococcal vaccination recommendations in the near future.

MenACWY vaccination coverage rates vary by poverty status, race and ethnicity, and health insurance status

What’s the Impact?

Meningitis B is responsible for all US college outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis since 2011.

Meningitis B accounts for 70% of all meningococcal meningitis cases among those 16-23.

More than 80% of parents have not heard of the MenB vaccine.

Only 3 out of 10 17-year-olds have received at least one dose of the MenB vaccine.

Only 6 out of 10 17-year-olds have received at least two doses of the MenACWY vaccine.