Meningococcemia Guidelines

Updated: Aug 05, 2022
  • Author: Mahmud H Javid, MBBS; Chief Editor: John L Brusch, MD, FACP  more...
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Guidelines

Guidelines Summary

Several clinical guideline summaries related to meningococcal disease are available, as follows:

  • American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases - Prevention and control of meningococcal disease: recommendations for use of meningococcal vaccines in pediatric patients [5]
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - Prevention and control of meningococcal disease [91]
  • European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) guideline - Diagnosis and treatment of acute bacterial meningitis [92]
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Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Guidelines on Meningococcal B Vaccination

The guidelines on meningococcal B vaccination by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are as follows [100, 101] :

Table 2. Guidelines on Meningococcal B Vaccination by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (Open Table in a new window)

Patient population

Conditions

Vaccine Regimen

Persons aged 10 years or older at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease

In high-risk persons and during serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreaks

3 doses of MenB-FHbp at 0, 1-2, and 6 months to provide earlier protection and maximize short-term immunogenicity.

If the second dose of MenB-FHbp is administered at an interval of 6 months or greater, a third dose need not be given.

Adolescents and young adults aged 16-23 years

Healthy adolescents and young adults

2 doses of MenB-FHbp at 0 and 6 months.

If the second dose of MenB-FHbp is given less than 6 months after the first dose, give a third dose at least 4 months after the second dose.

Pregnant or lactating individuals

 

Defer vaccination unless the person is at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease and their healthcare provider determines benefits outweigh potential risks.

Additional recommendations include the following:

  • Recommendations for use of MenB-4C vaccine are unchanged.
  • The two MenB vaccines are not interchangeable, and the same product must be given for all doses in a series.
  • Either MenB vaccine may be given concomitantly with other vaccines appropriate for this age, but preferably at a different anatomic site.
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