Meningococcal Vaccination Guidelines for Adults

Age-Based Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that persons aged 11-55 years receive Menveo (MenACWY-CRM), but for persons aged >55 years, MPSV4 (meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine) should be used instead 1, 2, 3
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) explicitly states that persons aged >55 years should receive MPSV4, not conjugate vaccines like Menveo 1, 2, 4

The CDC recommends assessing if the patient has any high-risk indication for meningococcal vaccination, including microbiologist exposure to Neisseria meningitidis isolates, travel to or residence in countries where meningococcal disease is hyperendemic or epidemic, persistent complement component deficiencies, or anatomic or functional asplenia 1, 2, 3
If high-risk conditions are present, administer MPSV4, NOT Menveo, as the preferred vaccine for all persons aged >55 years, regardless of risk factors 1, 2, 4

MPSV4 contains the same four serogroups (A, C, Y, W-135) as Menveo but uses polysaccharide technology rather than conjugate technology, and is administered as a single 0.5 mL dose intramuscularly 1
For ongoing high-risk exposure, revaccination every 5 years may be considered 5

Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any previous dose of Menveo, CRM197, diphtheria toxoid, or any meningococcal-containing vaccine is a contraindication for both Menveo and MPSV4 1, 2, 3