Media Advisory

Note: ACIP’s recommendations will be forwarded to CDC’s Director for approval. If the ACIP recommendations are approved by the CDC Director, they will be published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and represent the official CDC recommendations for immunizations in the U.S.; until then, they are considered provisional.

CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommends HibMenCY for Infants at Increased Risk for Meningococcal Disease

The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices voted today 13 to 1, with 1 abstention, to recommend that infants at increased risk for meningococcal disease should be vaccinated with 4 doses of HibMenCY at 2, 4, 6, and 12 through 15 months.  These include infants with recognized persistent complement pathway deficiencies and infants who have anatomic or functional asplenia including sickle cell disease. HibMenCY can be used in infants ages 2 through 18 months who are in communities with serogroup C and Y meningococcal disease outbreaks.

Meningococcal disease is a serious, vaccine-preventable bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. The two most severe common illnesses caused by these bacteria include meningitis and bloodstream infections. Infants with certain medical conditions, such as sickle cell disease or complement component deficiency, are at increased risk for meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal disease incidence has declined to historically low levels since the last peak in disease in the late 1990s. About 50 of infant cases are potentially preventable by available vaccines. The majority of infant cases are caused by a type of the bacteria that are not prevented by meningococcal vaccines. Also, the majority of infant cases occur within the first 6 months of life, before a vaccine would likely be able to protect since 3 doses are needed (at 2, 4 and 6 months) to maximize the immune response.

For more information, contact CDC News Media at 404-639-3286.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES