The Meningococcal Vaccine is currently administered at 11 years of age. Studies have shown a somewhat waning immunity during the college age years(18 to 21 years old). Since the college age years is one of the highest incidences of Meningococcal disease (Meningitis and overwhelming infection of the blood-sepsis), a booster Meningococcal Vaccine is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and our office.
Thus, we at Assoiciates in Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in Baton Rouge, will continue to routinely give a Meningococcal Vaccine (MCV4) at 11 years of age, and now give a booster at 16 years old. To “catch up” those that are older than 16, we will give all the adolescents older than 16 years old a second MCV4 vaccine. Many colleges are now requiring this second Meningococcal vaccine for admittance.