In 2010, the ACIP recommended that adolescents receive 2 doses of meningococcal vaccine: the first at 11 to 12 years of age and the second at 16 years of age.1 The second dose is recommended because at a critical time, immunity to meningococcal disease may wane: studies have shown that protection provided by the primary vaccination given at 11 to 12 years of age decreases over time.2
In fact, approximately 50% of older adolescents may be under-protected against meningococcal disease 5 years after primary vaccination—the same time they enter their peak period of risk for this disease.2
Despite the ACIP recommendation and the issue of waning immunity, booster vaccination rates among 16- to 18-year-olds are very low. In fact, it is estimated that only 29.6% of older adolescents have received a booster dose, leaving approximately 7 million older adolescents under-vaccinated against meningococcal disease.3,4
How will you help protect your patients from this potentially devastating disease?
Start by identifying your practice’s booster vaccination rate and then increasing it:
- Compare the number of adolescent patients in your practice versus the amount of meningococcal vaccine you order
- Comb your EMRs for under-vaccinated 16- to 18-year-old patients and flag these patients for follow-up
- Implement a protocol to check every older adolescent’s chart and flag those who have not received a booster dose
Once you’ve established your practice’s booster vaccination rate, it is important that you set a goal and share the information with your staff. Remind them to talk to patients about meningococcal disease and to vaccinate at every opportunity. Don’t forget that sick visits are often a great opportunity to “catch” adolescents who don’t come in for well visits as often as younger children.
a ACIP = Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.