For US Residents

Is your teen missing vaccination against certain groups of meningitis?

Even if your teen’s been vaccinated in the past, they could still be missing vaccination against certain groups of meningococcal disease, known as meningitis.

Meningitis can spread through certain everyday behaviors

Meningitis is an uncommon but serious disease caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. It can spread through everyday behaviors common among teens, including coughing, sneezing, kissing, living in close quarters, and sharing items like food, drinks, and vapes. Engaging in these everyday sharing behaviors may also mean sharing the bacteria that can cause meningitis.

Once meningitis symptoms appear, death can occur, sometimes within 24 hours. About 1 in 10 who develop meningitis will die. That’s why it’s important to ask your teen’s doctor if your teen’s meningitis vaccination series is complete.

LEARN ABOUT MENINGITIS

Not sure if your teen is fully vaccinated against meningitis? Ask their doctor.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has vaccination recommendations for ALL 5 vaccine-preventable groups of meningitis—A, B, C, W, and Y—that have historically caused the most cases of meningitis.

Finding out if your teen is missing vaccination against any of the 5 vaccine-preventable groups of meningitis—A, B, C, W, and Y—can be as simple as asking their doctor. Even if your teen has been vaccinated in the past, it’s still important to ask, because they could be missing vaccination against certain groups.

If you’re not sure where to start, check out some helpful tips on what to ask during your teen’s next appointment.

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