Vaccines > MCV4
Q&As about Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4) during a time of limited supply
Meningococcal (Groups A, C, Y and W-135) Conjugate Vaccine

1. Who should be vaccinated with MCV4 during the current supply limitation?
2. Why is there a limited supply of MCV4 now?
3. Why were interim recommendations for MCV4 implemented?
4. Is there enough vaccine available for all of the recommended groups?
5. I am a parent. If my 11 year-old does not receive MCV4 this year, is he/she at risk for meningococcal disease?
6. If my child does not need MCV4 at 11-12 years of age, then why was it recommended at this age before the limited supply of vaccine?
7. I am a provider. What should I do with persons aged 11-12 years for whom vaccination was recommended prior to the shortage?
8. If I am a provider and I have a patient in one of the recommended groups but no MCV4 is available, what should I do?
9. I am entering college this year. My doctor does not have MCV4, but has the tetravalent meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine. What should I do?
10. How long will these interim guidelines be in place?

NOTE: Any delays or shortages of a vaccine can be viewed on the Current Vaccines Delays and Shortages page.

1. Who should be vaccinated with MCV4 during the current supply limitation?
   • Adolescents at high school entry (approximately 15 years of age)
   • College freshmen living in dormitories

2. Why is there a limited supply of MCV4 now?

At present, demand for MCV4 is exceeding supply. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recognized that supply might be limited during the first few years following the original recommendations. Adolescents at high school entry and college freshmen living in dormitories should receive the vaccine, while children 11-12 years of age should be deferred until more vaccine is available. Sanofi-Pasteur, the manufacturer of MCV4, is working to increase production of the vaccine.

3. Why were interim recommendations for MCV4 implemented?

Because demand for MCV4 is at its highest during the “back to school” season, interim recommendations were made to target those as highest risk for disease during this period.

4. Is there enough vaccine available for all of the recommended groups?

It is projected that there is enough vaccine to meet the demand in the currently recommended groups (using the interim guidelines); however, all providers may not be able to get vaccine as soon as they would like.

5. I am a parent. If my 11 year-old does not receive MCV4 this year, is he/she at risk for meningococcal disease?

The risk of your child getting meningococcal disease is relatively low. The risk of meningococcal disease begins to increase in later adolescence. Because MCV4 supply is currently limited, adolescents at high school entry and college freshmen living in dorms, who have a higher risk of disease, should receive the vaccine. When more MCV4 is available, your child should get vaccinated.

6. If my child does not need MCV4 at 11-12 years of age, then why was it recommended at this age before the limited supply of vaccine?

MCV4 is a new vaccine that should provide longer-lasting protection than the prior meningococcal vaccine used in the US. A child who receives the vaccine at 11-12 years of age should be protected against most meningococcal disease through college. The recommendation to give the vaccine at 11-12 years of age was made because there is a recommended doctor’s visit at that age. Your child will still benefit from the vaccine if it is given when the vaccine supply increases.

7. I am a provider. What should I do with persons aged 11-12 years for whom vaccination was recommended prior to the shortage?

Vaccination of persons 11-12 years of age should be deferred until more vaccine is available. If possible, providers are encouraged to keep track of the children whom did not receive MCV4 and recall those persons when MCV4 becomes available. Those who are unable to be reached should receive MCV4 upon high school entry.

8. If I am a provider and I have a patient in one of the recommended groups but no MCV4 is available, what should I do?

You may be able to refer your patient to your local health department if they have vaccine available and the patient is Vaccines for Children (VFC) eligible. You may also contact Sanofi-Pasteur at 800-VACCINE (800-822-2463) if you have questions about ordering vaccine.

9. I am entering college this year. My doctor does not have MCV4, but has the tetravalent meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine. What should I do?

In most cases, MCV4 is preferable to the polysaccharide vaccine because it induces a longer-lasting immune response; however, the polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) is highly effective against meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135, and may be used instead of MCV4. The polysaccharide vaccine is a good alternative in persons who have brief elevations in disease risk, such as college freshmen living in dorms.

10. How long will these interim guidelines be in place?

    Sanofi-Pasteur expects the current vaccine supply limitation to be resolved in the fall of 2006. Further notice will be given when the interim guidelines no longer need to be followed. Updates on vaccine supply are available on the Current Vaccines Delays and Shortages page.

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This page last modified on July 18, 2006
Content last reviewed on July 14, 2006