Healthcare professionals' perspectives and preferences regarding adolescent meningococcal disease vaccination in the United States.
TL;DR
While HCPs were receptive to revisions that simplify the vaccine schedule, this was not without concerns; the adolescent vaccination platform is essential to ensure continued protection against IMD; any changes will require clear, evidence-based guidance.
Abstract
Background
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a vaccine-preventable, serious disease. In 2023-2024, the United States (US) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) proposed revisions to the adolescent meningococcal vaccine schedule. This survey aimed to understand healthcare professionals' (HCPs') perspectives on these revisions and the potential role of the meningococcal serogroups A, B, C, W, Y (MenABCWY) vaccine.
Methods
An online survey was conducted in May - June 2025 among US HCPs who regularly recommend meningococcal vaccines for 16-23-year-old patients. Responses were analyzed descriptively.
Results
Of 302 HCPs, 73.2% felt the MenABCWY vaccine provides significant value to the meningococcal vaccination program, and almost half preferred a two-dose MenABCWY schedule over the ACIP recommendation, wherein a MenABCWY dose is followed by a MenB dose. Most HCPs indicated concern with removing MenACWY vaccination for 11-12-year-olds (84.8%). Comparatively, fewer were concerned about changing the MenB vaccine recommendation from shared clinical decision-making to risk-based (60.6%) and administering the second MenB dose closer to college entry (48.7%).
Conclusions
While HCPs were receptive to revisions that simplify the vaccine schedule, this was not without concerns. The adolescent vaccination platform is essential to ensure continued protection against IMD; any changes will require clear, evidence-based guidance.