Travel as a Risk Factor

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends vaccination for meningococcal disease to persons who travel to or reside in countries in which the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis is hyperendemic or epidemic, particularly if they will be in close contact with the local population.

The meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) is preferred for people 9 months through 55 years of age. The meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) is the recommended vaccine for persons over age 55 years. Children ages 9 through 23 months will need two doses before traveling. Travelers who have been vaccinated previously for meningococcal disease, but remain at increased risk should receive booster doses. Talk with your healthcare provider about your specific situation.

Vaccination is recommended for persons traveling to the meningitis belt in Africa during the dry season (December through June). Advisories for travelers to other countries will be issued when epidemics of meningococcal disease caused by vaccine-preventable serogroups are recognized.

For more information on meningitis recommendations for travelers, visit the meningococcal section of the CDC Travelers’ Health web site.