Help fight meningitis with the power of a meaningful discussion

Did you know?

In September 2022, surveyed HCPs (N=100) reported discussing vaccines at 96% of their 16-year-old patient wellness visits.1,*

But only 49% of parents (N=198) surveyed in the same month reported vaccines were discussed during their adolescent wellness visits.1,†

Discuss the risk of MenB disease and the importance of vaccination with your patients. 

Data derived from an online survey that included questions about wellness visits and vaccinations, conducted among HCPs (60% pediatricians, 40% PCPs) already vaccinating for MenACWY. HCP data collected monthly from February through September 2022, except March. Parent data collected from May through September 2022.

Parents of 16- to 23-year-old children receiving any/some types of vaccines could select vaccines among 6 discussion topics.

Conversation bubbles icon
syringes

CDC recommends meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccination for adolescents not at increased risk, aged 16-23 years (preferred age 16-18 years), based on shared clinical decision-making.2-4

The way to achieve shared clinical decision-making is to have a discussion about MenB. Remember that patients and parents may not know what MenB is—that’s why it’s important for you to start the conversation.

Include the following points in your MenB conversation2:

Review document icon

Review

Review what meningococcal disease is, as well as the potential consequences and their rapid progression. Review the low number of meningococcal disease cases that have occurred annually in the US.

Clipboard icon

List

List the behavioral risk factors that can lead to contracting MenB.

Patient discussion icon

Explain

Explain the differences between serogroups ACWY and B, the available vaccines, and their potential benefits, risks, and limitations.

Location icon

Recommend

Recommend that your appropriate patients start the MenB vaccination series.

Care icon

Remind

Remind them that MenB vaccines are typically covered by the Affordable Care Act and the Vaccines for Children Program.5,6

Calendar icon

Emphasize

Emphasize the importance of series completion and schedule any doses necessary to complete the series.

Have you seen the potential real-life impact of meningococcal disease?

WATCH THESE STORIES

Vaccination may not protect all recipients.

CDC=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; HCP=healthcare professional; MenACWY=meningitis serogroups A, C, W, and Y;
MenB=meningococcal serogroup B. PCP=primary care provider.

References

  1. Data on file. Meningococcal B One Story Report. GSK.
  2. Mbaeyi SA, Bozio CH, Duffy J, et al. Meningococcal vaccination: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2020. MMWR. 2020;69(RR-9):1-41.
  3. Recommended child and adolescent immunization schedule for ages 18 years or younger, United States, 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed November 16, 2023. Accessed January 11, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html
  4. Recommended adult immunization schedule for ages 19 years or older, United States, 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed December 28, 2023. Accessed January 11, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html
  5. US Department of Health and Human Services. The Affordable Care Act and Reconciliation Act. Updated June 10, 2010. Accessed January 11, 2024. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ppacacon.pdf
  6. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Vaccines for Children Program: vaccines to prevent meningococcal disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Resolution No. 10/23-1. Updated October 25, 2023. Accessed January 11, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/downloads/resolutions/2019-6-7-mening-508.pdf