Sweet 16

Donna Shryer
Posted by Donna Shryer

Nearly half of American teens never receive their crucial meningococcal vaccine booster 

Here’s what we know:

  • Two doses of the MenACWY vaccine—one dose around age 11 and a booster at age 16—are the best defense against meningococcal meningitis.1
  • Roughly half of American teens never receive their second booster vaccine.2
  • Teens and young adults face the highest risks of catching Meningococcal meningitis.2

Meningococcal meningitis is rare—but when this bacterial infection does strike, it’s potentially deadly. Even when caught early and properly treated, 10 to 15 percent of those who get the infection will die from it.3 As for those who survive, it’s estimated that 19% suffer permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, loss of kidney function, or limb amputations.3

One might think that these facts alone are enough to encourage all healthcare providers and parents to push for every pediatric patient’s first and second meningococcal vaccine booster shot.

There is, however, a second bit of information that supports this vaccine series. Teens and young adults have the highest risk of catching this illness—probably because meningococcal meningitis spreads through respiratory droplets and saliva. Think coughing, kissing, sharing drinks, and socializing in large crowds. Sound like any teen you know?

To get the word out, the National Meningitis Association (NMA) recently launched a national campaign, The 16 Vaccine ~ Take Your Shot Against Meningitis. The campaign spokesperson, actress, author, and mother of three Molly Ringwald is sending out a message that parents need to talk to their teen’s doctor about the potentially life-saving second dose of the MenACWY vaccine for meningococcal disease.

Healthcare teams can help parents remember to schedule their teen’s booster shot by sending them to The16Vaccine.org. The site is rich with information about meningococcal disease and prevention, educational resources, and an option to sign up for reminders when it’s time for their teens’ 16-year booster visit. 

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine (Shot) for Meningococcal Disease. Available from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/mening.html. Accessed June 28, 2021 
  2. The 16 Vaccine. Get your teen the CDC-recommended second MenACWY shot they need. Available at https://the16vaccine.org/the-16-vaccine. Accessed on June 28, 2021
  3. The 16 Vaccine. Meningitis Fast Facts. Available at https://the16vaccine.org/meningitis-fast-facts. Accessed on June 28, 2021