Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness. It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2 through 18 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. Meningococcal disease also causes blood infections.

Meningococcal infections can be treated with drugs such as penicillin. Still, about 1 out of every ten people who get the disease dies from it, and many others are affected for life. This is why preventing the disease through use of meningococcal vaccine is important for people at highest risk.

The meningococcal vaccine is recommended for all children and adolescents 11 through 18 years of age. Meningococcal vaccine is also recommended for other people at increased risk for meningococcal disease including but not limited to college freshmen living in dormitories, anyone traveling to, or living in, a part of the world where meningococcal disease is common, such as parts of Africa, anyone who has an immune system disorder, or people who might have been exposed to meningitis during an outbreak. Contact the pharmacy to arrange for your immunization.

Reference: CDC