Communicating About Meningococcal Vaccines

Last Updated August 18, 2026

Meningococcal infections are a type of serious illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. The most common forms of meningococcal infections include meningitis (swelling of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord) and meningococcemia (blood stream infections).

While meningococcal infections are not common, they cause serious illness and can be fatal without treatment. In 2023, there were around 400 cases of meningococcal disease in the U.S.

How do you get a meningococcal infection?

You can get a meningococcal infection through saliva or mucus droplets from a sick person. The infection can spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, touching unwashed hands, or sharing drinks or utensils. Meningococcal infection is more likely to spread in places where people are in close contact, like home, school, or other crowded places.

How common is meningococcal disease?

Studies show meningococcal infection in the U.S. is most common during winter, starting two to three weeks after influenza outbreaks begin. The highest number of cases usually occur during January, February, and March.

While meningococcal infections are not common, they cause serious illness and can be fatal without treatment. In 2023, there were around 400 cases of meningococcal disease in the U.S.

Who is most at risk for a meningococcal infection?

While anyone can get a meningococcal infection, several groups are more likely to get sick:

Children less than a year old
Teenagers and young adults, especially those who smoke or are exposed to smoke
People who have a spleen injury or no spleen
People with sickle cell disease
People in communal living situations, like college campuses or military barracks
People who take complement inhibitor medications, like eculizumab (Soliris®) and ravulizumab (Ultomiris®)
Travelers who visit areas outside of the U.S. where meningococcal disease is common, like sub-Saharan Africa

What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?

Symptoms of meningococcal illness typically start about four days after you come into contact with the germs.

Common symptoms of meningococcal disease include:

Being unusually bothered by bright light
Diarrhea
Fever
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Skin rash that looks like dark, discolored pinpoints or a bigger area that looks like a bruise
Stiff neck

Symptoms in babies are more difficult to identify but include:

Being unusually bothered by bright light
Being irritable for no reason
Being twitchy or floppy
Being very tired
A bulging soft spot in their skull
Refusing to eat

How do I prevent meningococcal disease?

The most effective way to prevent meningococcal disease is with a vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this vaccine as a standard part of childhood immunizations. Because of the risk of spread in close quarters, many colleges also require proof of vaccination before starting school.

There are currently three vaccines to prevent meningococcal disease available in the United States. Once the vaccine was recommended for children ages 11 through 12 in 2005, infections in teenagers decreased by over 90%.

Your doctor or pediatrician will recommend one of the following vaccines based on age, vaccination history, and underlying conditions.

Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccines
Pentavalent (MenABCWY) vaccines
Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccines

The spread of meningococcal disease can also be prevented with good health practices like handwashing, not sharing food, and avoiding contact with people who are sick.

How do I treat a meningococcal infection?

Early treatment for a meningococcal infection is critical. Even with treatment, meningococcal disease is fatal for 10 to 15 of every 100 people who become sick. To treat the infection, a healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotics, fluids, and medication to treat your symptoms.

About 1 in 5 people who survive have long-term complications, including: