Is there a vaccine to prevent meningococcal invasive disease?
A vaccine against meningococcal invasive disease has been developed; however it does not provide coverage against all of the strains of Neisseria meningitidis that circulate in the United States. On October 20, 1999 the recommendations for use of the meningococcal vaccine in the United States were modified to include college freshmen residing in dormitories and other college students wishing to reduce their risk of meningococcal disease. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to give information to students and their parents about meningococcal disease and the benefits of vaccination and to provide the vaccine to those who desire it. The vaccine is also recommended for travel to a small number of foreign countries where meningococcal disease is much more common than in the United States. If you have plans for international travel and you would like to know if any vaccines are recommended for the countries you are visiting, you should contact your personal physician.
