Why are adolescents particularly susceptible to meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is transmitted via respiratory and oral secretions from a carrier or an infected person.5 Adolescent behaviors and circumstances, including kissing and sharing utensils, increase the risk of exposure.5,6 This may be one of the reasons why adolescents have a higher rate of meningococcal disease compared to the general population (0.74/100,000 vs 0.53/100,000, respectively).7
