Recommended Vaccines for Adults

Key points

  • CDC recommends meningococcal vaccination for adults at increased risk for meningococcal disease.
  • Talk to a healthcare or vaccine provider about what is best for your specific situation.
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Vaccines you may need

There are 3 types of meningococcal vaccines used in the United States:

  • Meningococcal conjugate or MenACWY vaccines
  • Serogroup B meningococcal or MenB vaccines
  • Pentavalent or MenABCWY vaccine
Keep Reading: Meningococcal Vaccination

Recommendations by vaccine type

CDC may recommend one or more types of meningococcal vaccines for an adult depending on why they're at increased risk.

MenACWY and MenB vaccines

Both MenACWY and MenB vaccines are recommended for adults with the following risk factors:

MenABCWY vaccine as an option‎

People who are getting MenACWY and MenB vaccines at the same visit can receive MenABCWY vaccine instead.

MenACWY vaccines only

MenACWY vaccines are recommended for adults with the following risk factors:

  • HIV
  • Part of a population at increased risk during an outbreak
  • Living, working, or traveling to certain places or settings
    • Military recruits
    • First-year college students living in a residence hall
    • Countries where disease (serogroup A, C, W, or Y) is common

MenB vaccines only

MenB vaccines are recommended for adults identified as part of a population at increased risk during serogroup B outbreaks.

Recommendations during pregnancy or while breastfeeding

MenACWY vaccines

People at increased risk for serogroup A, C, W, or Y meningococcal disease who are pregnant may get MenACWY vaccines.

MenB and MenABCWY vaccines

In general, healthcare providers should defer MenB and MenABCWY vaccination in pregnant persons.

People at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease who are pregnant or breastfeeding may get MenB vaccines. However, they should talk with a healthcare provider to decide if the benefits of getting vaccinated outweigh the risks.

People who are pregnant or breastfeeding may get a MenABCWY vaccine if they're at increased risk for both of the following:

  • Serogroup A, C, W, or Y meningococcal disease
  • Serogroup B meningococcal disease

However, they should talk with a healthcare provider to decide if the benefits of getting vaccinated outweigh the risks.

Booster shots

Generally, booster shots are recommended for people as long as they remain at increased risk.

Talk to a healthcare provider to find out if, and when, you'll need a booster shot of a meningococcal vaccine.

Resources

Meningococcal disease and people receiving complement inhibitors

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Content Source:
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; Division of Bacterial Diseases
  • If not already up to date with MenACWY vaccination
  • Specifically, an outbreak involving serogroup A, C, W, or Y