# Meningococcal

> The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Medova is not a medical service provider.

Source: https://medova.health/en/knowledge/vaccines/meningococcal · Language: en

## Vaccine Information

- Type: Subunit
- Administration: Injection
- WHO Code: MEN
- Travel Recommended: Yes

**Pregnancy: Safe if indicated.**

Meningococcal ACWY conjugate vaccines are non-live and considered safe during pregnancy.


- Recommended for pregnant travelers requiring vaccination for Hajj/Umrah (Saudi Arabia requirement).

- Limited formal pregnancy studies, but extensive post-marketing experience without safety signals.

- ACIP: "MenACWY may be administered during pregnancy if indicated."

**Breastfeeding: Safe — no restrictions.**

Meningococcal ACWY conjugate vaccines are inactivated and safe during breastfeeding. No modification to breastfeeding schedule required.

**Pediatric use:**


- **Menveo:** licensed from 2 months of age. Infants: multi-dose series.

- **Nimenrix:** licensed from 6 weeks of age.

- **MenQuadfi:** licensed from 12 months of age.

- Routine adolescent vaccination (11–12 years) with booster at 16 years (US ACIP).

- Children with asplenia, complement deficiency, or HIV: 2-dose primary series + boosters every 3–5 years.

- MenB vaccines (Bexsero, Trumenba) for serogroup B: separate schedule.

**Geriatric use:**


- No specific age-related contraindications. Standard single-dose schedule applies.

- Elderly travelers to the African meningitis belt or performing Hajj should receive MenACWY.

- Immune response adequate in healthy elderly adults.

- Asplenic elderly patients: 2-dose series + boosters every 5 years.

## Side Effects

- Anaphylaxis (Very rare) — Serious
- Angioedema (Rare) — Serious
- Arthralgia (Common)
- Chills (Common)
- Diarrhea (Common)
- Dizziness (Common)
- Drowsiness (Common)
- Fatigue (Very common)
- Febrile seizure (Rare) — Serious
- Fever (Common)
- Generalized rash (Uncommon)
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (Very rare) — Serious
- Headache (Very common)
- Injection site induration (Common)
- Injection site pain (Very common)
- Injection site redness (Very common)
- Injection site swelling (Very common)
- Insomnia (Common)
- Irritability (Common)
- Limb pain (Common)
- Loss of appetite (Common)
- Malaise (Very common)
- Myalgia (Very common)
- Nausea (Common)
- Paresthesia (Uncommon)
- Pruritus (Uncommon)
- Syncope (Uncommon)
- Urticaria (Uncommon)
- Vomiting (Common)

## Contraindications

- Acute febrile illness (Precaution)
- Age below minimum recommended (Absolute)
- Anaphylaxis after previous dose (Absolute)
- Allergy to vaccine component (Absolute)
- Breastfeeding (live vaccines) (Precaution)
- History of Guillain-Barré syndrome (Precaution)
- Latex allergy (Precaution)
- Pregnancy (Precaution)

## Vaccination Schedule

| Dose | Brand | Days from previous | Age range |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dose 1 | MenQuadfi | — | 1 years+ |

## FAQ

**How many doses of Meningococcal are needed?**

The Meningococcal vaccination schedule consists of 1 dose(s).

**What are the side effects of Meningococcal?**

Common side effects include: Anaphylaxis, Angioedema, Arthralgia, Chills, Diarrhea.

**Who should not get Meningococcal?**

Contraindications include: Acute febrile illness, Age below minimum recommended, Anaphylaxis after previous dose, Allergy to vaccine component, Breastfeeding (live vaccines).

## Prevents

- [Meningococcal Meningitis](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/diseases/meningococcal-meningitis)

## Indications

- [Saudi Arabia](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/saudi-arabia): Required
- [South Sudan](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/south-sudan): Recommended
- [Cameroon](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/cameroon): Recommended
- [Senegal](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/senegal): Recommended
- [Mali](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/mali): Recommended
- [Niger](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/niger): Recommended
- [Burkina Faso](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/burkina-faso): Recommended
- [Chad](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/chad): Recommended
- [Central African Republic](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/central-african-republic): Recommended
- [Democratic Republic of the Congo](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/democratic-republic-of-the-congo): Recommended

## Sources & content verification

- Data sources: WHO Position Papers 2024 + CDC Pink Book 2024 + EMA SmPC
- [www.who.int](https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/policies/position-papers)

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The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Medova is not a medical service provider.

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