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Here is some more information to help you talk about meningitis and the importance of vaccination with your patients.

Register now for an upcoming live Meningococcal Survivor Speaker Program to learn more.

"Who is really at risk of contracting meningitis B?"

Although meningitis B is uncommon,1 according to CDC data from 2014-2016, the relative risk of contracting meningitis B was approximately 3.5x higher in college students (ages 18 to 24) compared with peers of the same age group not attending college (0.17 cases per 100,000 vs. 0.05 cases per 100,000). The peak incidence of meningitis B occurred between 18-20 years of age.2 CDC data showed that from 2015-2019, serogroup B was responsible for 60% of 266 US cases of meningococcal meningitis in persons 16-23 years of age.3

“When should healthcare providers bring up meningitis B vaccination?”

It’s possible patients and their parents are unaware of meningitis B—that’s why it’s important that you initiate the meningitis B conversation and involve them in the vaccination decision. The CDC recommends meningococcal serogroup B (meningitis B) vaccination for adolescents not at increased risk, aged 16-23 years (preferred age 16-18 years), based on shared clinical decision-making.4

 

Unlike routine, catch-up, and risk-based recommendations, shared clinical decision-making vaccinations are not recommended for everyone in a particular age or risk group. Rather, shared clinical decision-making recommendations are individually based on and informed by a decision process between the healthcare provider and the patient or parent/guardian.5

 

The National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen) found that as of 2020, only 28% of 17-year-olds had received at least one dose of MenB vaccine.6

 

Take the time to talk to your adolescent and young adult patients about MenB. Give them the choice to help protect against meningitis B.

“I’m ready to have shared clinical discussions with appropriate patients. Where can I learn more about the impact of meningitis B on adolescent and young adult patients?”

To learn more about meningitis B and hear firsthand from Survivors please register for an upcoming live Meningococcal Survivor Speaker Program. The purpose of the program is to provide disease education on meningococcal serogroup B, and information about meningococcal vaccination and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation. During this educational program, you’ll have the opportunity to hear firsthand from a meningitis B survivor and have your vaccination questions addressed by a guest medical speaker.

 

In the meantime, for additional information and resources visit gskpro.com/en-us/products/bexsero/

Vaccination may not protect all recipients.

References:

1. Pelton SI. Meningococcal disease awareness: clinical and epidemiological factors affecting prevention and management in adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2010;46:S9-S15.

2. Mbaeyi SA, Joseph SJ, Blain A, et al. Meningococcal disease among college-aged young adults: 2014-2016. Pediatrics. 2019;143(1):e20182130.

3. Enhanced meningococcal disease surveillance reports 2015-2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed February 7, 2022. Accessed May 27, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/surveillance/index.html

4. Recommended child and adolescent immunization schedule for ages 18 years or younger, United States, 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed February 3, 2020. Accessed February 7, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html

5. ACIP shared clinical decision-making recommendations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed February 16, 2022. Accessed February 16, 2022. https://cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/acip-scdm-faqs.html

6. Pingali C, Yankey D, Elam-Evans LD, et al. National, regional, state, and selected local area vaccination coverage among adolescents aged 13-17 years - United States, 2020. MMWR. 2021;70(35):1183-1190.

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To learn more about meningitis B vaccination, visit www.BEXSEROHCP.com

Will you choose to vaccinate against meningitis B or leave it up to chance?