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May 19, 2017
On May 19, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) published updated dosing recommendations for a meningococcal group B disease (MenB) vaccine in healthy adolescents who are not at increased risk for meningococcal disease.
These recommendations provide guidance on vaccination dosing intervals, for a MenB, vaccine depending on one’s risk of exposure to MenB, which makes it easier for healthcare providers to help protect individuals against this uncommon but potentially fatal disease.
Meningococcal disease is an uncommon, but serious disease that can attack without warning.1,2 It can progress rapidly, and early symptoms are difficult to distinguish from other more common infections—with flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea and vomiting.3
More specifically, MenB accounts for nearly 50% of all meningococcal cases in 17 to 22 year olds in the United States.4 The disease can lead to death within 24 hours and for survivors may result in life-altering, significant long-term disabilities.3,5,6,7
For more information about MenB, visit MeetMeningitis.com
1Poland GA. Prevention of meningococcal disease: current use of polysaccharide and conjugate vaccines. Clin Infect Dis. 2010;50,S45-S53.
2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Serogroup B Meningococcal (MenB) VIS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mening-serogroup.html. Last updated August 9, 2016. Accessed May 4, 2017.
3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meningococcal Vaccines for Preteens, Teens. http://www.cdc.gov/features/meningococcal/. Last updated April 24, 2017. Accessed May 4, 2017.
4Soeters HM, McNamara LA, Whaley M, Wang X, Alexander-Scott N, Kanadanian, KV, et al. Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease Outbreak and Carriage Evaluation at a College – Rhode Island, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015;64(22):606-607.
5Thompson MJ, Ninis N, Perera R, et al. Clinical recognition of meningococcal disease in children and adolescents. Lancet. 2006;367(9508):397-403.
6Borg J, Christie D, Coen PG, Pooy R, Viner RM. Outcomes of Meningococcal Disease in Adolescence: prospective, matched-cohort study. Pediatrics. 2009;123:e502-e509.
7Sabatini C, Bosis S, Semino M, Senatore L, Principi N, Esposito S. Clinical Presentation of Meningococcal Disease in Childhood. J Prev Med Hyg. 2012;53:116-119.
