Expanded Meningococcal Vaccine Coverage: Updates and Recommendations

Recent changes in meningococcal vaccination recommendations and financial support are expanding protection against this potentially serious bacterial infection. Updates as of February 2026 include broadened reimbursement for catch-up vaccinations and continued emphasis on routine immunization for adolescents and high-risk individuals.

Compulsory Vaccination and Expanded Reimbursement

Since January 1, 2025, vaccination against meningococci B and ACWY has been compulsory for infants up to 2 years old in many regions. This requirement extends to children previously vaccinated against meningococcus C, reflecting evolving epidemiology and increased circulation of serogroups A, C, W, and Y. A temporary catch-up program was established for children not vaccinated according to the new schedule, initially lacking full insurance coverage. Reimbursement for the Nimenrix vaccine is now available for children born in 2020, 2021, or 2022 as part of this catch-up program before the age of 5.

A single dose of Nimenrix is recommended for the catch-up, regardless of prior meningococcus C vaccination (with vaccines like NEISVAC or MENJUGATE). For children under 2 years old, the standard schedule remains two injections, ideally at 6 and 12 months, with a minimum interval of two months between doses. Health Insurance currently reimburses up to 65% of the vaccine cost.

Available ACWY Vaccines and Coverage

Several vaccines protect against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, and Y, including:

• MENQUADFI: Authorized for use from 12 months of age.
• MENVEO: Usable from 2 years of age.

Both MENQUADFI and MENVEO have had coverage for specific pediatric populations at risk since late 2024. MENQUADFI covers infants aged 12 to 23 months, while MENVEO covers children at risk aged 2 years and older. These vaccines are also reimbursed for systematic vaccination of adolescents (11-14 years old) and catch-up vaccination for 15-24 year olds as part of a national campaign.

Meningococcal B Vaccination

Vaccination against meningococcal B has more limited coverage. The BEXSERO vaccine is not currently reimbursed for children aged 2 to 5 years as part of the extended catch-up program. But, BEXSERO is supported for young people aged 15 to 24 who choose to be vaccinated. The TRUMENBA vaccine, authorized from 10 years of age, is also reimbursed for individuals aged 15-24 and those in risk groups.

Public Health Implications

Expanding reimbursement for ACWY catch-up vaccinations aims to improve overall vaccination coverage and reduce the incidence of invasive meningococcal disease, which, while rare, can be severely debilitating or fatal. These changes reflect ongoing adaptation to epidemiological data and the increasing prevalence of serogroups W and Y. Vaccine decision support systems, like MesVaccins, will incorporate this new information starting February 23, 2026.

Meningococcal Vaccination Recommendations (July 1, 2025)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends meningococcal vaccination for all adolescents. Specifically, all 11- to 12-year-old adolescents should receive a MenACWY vaccine, with a booster dose recommended at age 16 to provide continued protection during peak risk years. CDC

There are three types of meningococcal vaccines used in the United States:

• MenACWY vaccines: Protect against serogroups A, C, W, and Y.
• MenB vaccines: Protect against serogroup B.
• MenABCWY vaccines: Protect against serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y.

Individuals at increased risk, including those aged 2 months and older, may require a 2-4 dose primary series with regular booster doses. Booster timing varies based on age and initial vaccination schedule.

Understanding Meningococcal Disease

Meningococcal vaccines are used to prevent infection by Neisseria meningitidis. Wikipedia Different vaccine formulations are effective against varying serogroups, with effectiveness rates between 85 and 100% for at least two years. Vaccination significantly reduces the incidence of meningitis and sepsis in populations with high vaccination rates.