Meningococcal vaccination is recommended for which population?

Meningococcal vaccination is recommended for which population?

• A. Adults over 55 and high risk (e.g., asplenia)
• B. Children under 5
• C. Pregnant women
• D. Healthy adults 20-30

Answer: (A)

Vaccination is recommended for people at higher risk of invasive meningococcal disease, not for all adults. The spleen plays a key role in clearing encapsulated bacteria like Neisseria meningitidis, so asplenia markedly raises the risk of severe infection. For this reason, adults with high‑risk conditions such as asplenia should be vaccinated, even if they are older than the typical vaccination ages. In contrast, healthy adults in their 20s–30s without risk factors aren’t routinely vaccinated, and pregnancy does not by itself create a routine indication (though vaccination can be considered if a specific risk or exposure exists). Children under 5 are not routinely vaccinated unless they have particular risk factors or exposures. Thus, adults over 55 with high‑risk status like asplenia are the population for whom meningococcal vaccination is recommended.

Vaccination is recommended for people at higher risk of invasive meningococcal disease, not for all adults. The spleen plays a key role in clearing encapsulated bacteria like Neisseria meningitidis, so asplenia markedly raises the risk of severe infection. For this reason, adults with high‑risk conditions such as asplenia should be vaccinated, even if they are older than the typical vaccination ages. In contrast, healthy adults in their 20s–30s without risk factors aren’t routinely vaccinated, and pregnancy does not by itself create a routine indication (though vaccination can be considered if a specific risk or exposure exists). Children under 5 are not routinely vaccinated unless they have particular risk factors or exposures. Thus, adults over 55 with high‑risk status like asplenia are the population for whom meningococcal vaccination is recommended.