Meningitis vaccine

In general, the CDC recommends the meningococcal vaccine [2] Meningococcal Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mening/public/index.html to all adults in the following categories:

• HIV-positive
• Military recruits
• Microbiologists working with meningococcal bacteria
• Asplenic (no spleen or spleen is not functioning well)
• Freshmen at college living in a residence hall (dorm)
• Living in or traveling to an area that is high-risk for meningococcal infection acquisition

This vaccine is recommended for travelers to all high-risk countries. The only country that requires it is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Learn more about recommendations and requirements for the meningococcal vaccine below.

Recommended

The vaccine is recommended for all travelers to and residents of sub-Saharan Africa.
This region is known as the “meningitis belt” due to its high rate of infected people. You should consider this vaccination, especially if you are going to visit this area during the peak season of disease transmission (December–June), you are going to be part of mass gatherings, or you are going to spend time with local people.

Required

The vaccine is required for travelers to Saudi Arabia who intend to participate in the Hajj pilgrimage.

Please note: Travelers should submit a meningococcal immunization certificate that was obtained:

• At least 10 days before arriving in the country
• No more than three years ago for (ACYW) polysaccharide vaccine and five years ago for (ACYW) conjugate vaccine

The following people should not get the vaccine:

• Those who had a severe allergic reaction after a previous meningococcal vaccine
• Those who are allergic to any of the vaccine components

Ideally, you should get the vaccine 7–10 days before your departure. However, the vaccination will provide partial protection if it’s received later than that, and the level of protection will continue to increase during your trip.

Yes! You’ll be partially protected from infection during the first days of your trip and fully protected 7–10 days after the vaccination.

No! The extra (unnecessary) shot will not harm you. And it may save your life if you’ve never been vaccinated or were vaccinated more than five years ago.

Please check the date of your last vaccination. If it was administered more than three years ago (for polysaccharide vaccine) or five years ago (for conjugate vaccine), a booster shot is recommended (and required for Saudi Arabia travelers).

Unfortunately, the United States has no nationwide system that maintains vaccine administration records. You can try to find your records by following the suggestions below.

The meningococcal vaccine is not contraindicated for pregnant or lactating women.

The meningococcal vaccine is considered safe for pregnant women. However, we recommend that you discuss the details with your health provider.

Meningococcal vaccine [3] What vaccines are there for meningitis? https://www.meningitis.org/meningitis/vaccine-information is safe and effective. But as with any vaccine, some adverse effects are possible:

It is important to recognize meningococcal vaccine–associated side effects and know what action to take. See the table below.

Since the infection is spread via respiratory and throat droplets, proper hygiene may help prevent its transmission. Avoid any activity that may lead to exposure to an infected person’s saliva or throat secretions. Such activities include the following:

• Kissing
• Sharing dishes
• Sharing drinks

If you have already been exposed to the infection (had contact with an infected person), you may prevent the development of meningococcal disease through antibiotic prophylaxis.

The risk of contracting a meningococcal infection significantly increases if you do any of these:

• Spend much time with locals
• Share drinks or eating utensils
• Participate in mass gatherings
• Engage in close contact (kissing, hugging) with an infected person

The rate of meningococcal infection transmission is higher in rural areas.

Travelers may be infected with meningococcal infection year-round. Transmission in the countries of the meningitis belt peaks from December to June.