Age as a Risk Factor Adolescents and young adults 16 through 21
years of age have high rates of meningococcal disease. For this
reason, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
recommends routine vaccination of all persons 11 through 18
years of age with the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4).
Children 11-12 years of age should visit their health care
providers to receive 1 dose of MCV4 and other preventive
services. A booster dose of MCV4 is recommended at 16 years of
age. Learn more about MCV4 vaccination. To learn more about
preteen and adolescent vaccines, visit the vaccine site. Infants
are also at high risk for meningococcal disease. There are
vaccines licensed to prevent meningococcal disease for children
as young as 6 weeks of age. However, the serogroup of Neisseria
meningitidis bacteria that occurs most frequently in infants
(serogroup B) is the type that is not included in any of the
currently available vaccines. Images and logos on this website
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