VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many vaccine information statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

1. Why get vaccinated?

Meningococcal ACWY vaccine can help protect 

against meningococcal disease caused by serogroups 

A, C, W, and Y. A different meningococcal vaccine is 

available that can help protect against serogroup B.

Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis 

(infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) 

and infections of the blood. Even when it is treated, 

meningococcal disease kills 10 to 15 infected people 

out of 100. And of those who survive, about 10 to 

20 out of every 100 will suffer disabilities such as 

hearing loss, brain damage, kidney damage, loss 

of limbs, nervous system problems, or severe scars 

from skin grafts.

Meningococcal disease is rare and has declined in 

the United States since the 1990s. However, it is a 

severe disease with a significant risk of death or 

lasting disabilities in people who get it.

Anyone can get meningococcal disease. Certain 

people are at increased risk, including:

 Infants younger than one year old

 Adolescents and young adults 16 through 

23 years old

 People with certain medical conditions that affect 

the immune system

 Microbiologists who routinely work with isolates 

of N. meningitidis, the bacteria that cause 

meningococcal disease

 People at risk because of an outbreak in their 

community

2. Meningococcal ACWY vaccine

Adolescents need 2 doses of a meningococcal 

ACWY vaccine:

 First dose: 11 or 12 years of age

 Second (booster) dose: 16 years of age

In addition to routine vaccination for adolescents, 

meningococcal ACWY vaccine is also recommended 

for certain groups of people:

 People at risk because of a serogroup A, C, W, or 

Y meningococcal disease outbreak

 People with HIV

 Anyone whose spleen is damaged or has been 

removed, including people with sickle cell disease

 Anyone with a rare immune system condition 

called “complement component deficiency”

 Anyone taking a type of drug called a “complement 

inhibitor,” such as eculizumab (also called 

“Soliris”®) or ravulizumab (also called “Ultomiris”®)

 Microbiologists who routinely work with isolates 

of N. meningitidis

 Anyone traveling to or living in a part of the world 

where meningococcal disease is common, such as 

parts of Africa

 College freshmen living in residence halls who 

have not been completely vaccinated with 

meningococcal ACWY vaccine

 U.S. military recruits

Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine:

What You Need to Know
OFFICE 

USE 

ONLY

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

8/6/2021

Vaccine Information Statement

Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine

3. Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose 

of meningococcal ACWY vaccine, or has any 

severe, life-threatening allergies

In some cases, your health care provider may decide 

to postpone meningococcal ACWY vaccination until 

a future visit.

There is limited information on the risks of this 

vaccine for pregnant or breastfeeding people, but 

no safety concerns have been identified. A pregnant 

or breastfeeding person should be vaccinated if 

indicated.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be 

vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill 

should usually wait until they recover before getting 

meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Redness or soreness where the shot is given can 

happen after meningococcal ACWY vaccination.

 A small percentage of people who receive 

meningococcal ACWY vaccine experience muscle 

pain, headache, or tiredness.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, 

including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel 

dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5. What if there is a serious 

problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the 

vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs 

of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the 

face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, 

dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person 

to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine 

Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your 

health care provider will usually file this report, or 

you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff 

members do not give medical advice.

6. The National Vaccine Injury 

Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program 

(VICP) is a federal program that was created to 

compensate people who may have been injured by 

certain vaccines. Claims regarding alleged injury or 

death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, 

which may be as short as two years. Visit the VICP 

website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or 

call 1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program and 

about filing a claim.

7. How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Visit the website of the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) for vaccine package 

inserts and additional information at 

www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

-Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

-Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.