New AAFP Policy on Meningococcal Immunization Concurs with ACIP, CDC Stance

The Academy on May 25 announced its agreement with a new vaccination recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and CDC. That recommendation: Young adolescents (defined as 11- to 12-year-olds) should be routinely vaccinated with tetravalent meningococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine, or MCV4.

The vaccine was approved by the FDA in January for use in persons ages 11 to 55.

The ACIP statement, published in the May 27 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, noted that "introducing a recommendation for MCV4 vaccination among young adolescents might strengthen the role of the preadolescent visit and have a positive effect on vaccine coverage among adolescents."

Read more about the AAFP recommendation on meningococcal immunization, including recommendations for routine vaccination of other patient groups at increased risk for meningococcal disease, online.