Get Vaccinated
In response to an ongoing outbreak of meningococcal disease in Florida, CDC is encouraging gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men to:
- Get a MenACWY vaccine if they live in Florida1
- Talk with their healthcare provider about getting a MenACWY vaccine if they are traveling to Florida
In addition, CDC is highlighting the following existing meningococcal vaccine recommendations:
- MenACWY vaccination is routinely recommended for all people with HIV in the United States2
- Young adults in the United States, including college students, may choose to get a MenB vaccine
There is a large, ongoing outbreak of meningococcal disease in Floridaexternal icon, primarily among gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men, including those living with HIV. There have also been cases reported in the state over the last few months, including multiple cases in college studentsexternal icon. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the cases among college students are related to the larger outbreak.
Florida’s increase in meningococcal disease cases is mostly affecting people who live in Florida but has also affected some people who have traveled to Florida.
Meningococcal disease: Very serious, often deadly
The two most common types of meningococcal infections are meningitis (an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and bloodstream infection, both of which can quickly become deadly.
If you have symptoms of meningococcal disease, seek medical care right away. Symptoms of meningococcal disease can first appear as a flu-like illness and rapidly worsen.
Vaccination offers the best protection against meningococcal disease
In response to this outbreak in Florida, CDC is encouraging gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (with or without HIV) to:
- Get a MenACWY vaccine if they live in Florida
- Talk with their healthcare provider about getting a MenACWY vaccine if they are traveling to Florida
Ideally, people would get vaccinated with one dose (or the 2-dose series for people with HIV) at least 2 weeks before traveling. Learn more about what gay and bisexual men need to know about meningococcal disease outbreakspdf icon.
CDC is also emphasizing the importance of routine MenACWY vaccination for people with HIV. For the best protection, people with HIV should make sure they have gotten their 2-dose primary series of a MenACWY vaccine and are up to date with booster doses. Learn more about what people living with HIV need to know about meningococcal diseasepdf icon.
Importantly, MenB vaccines are available to any teen or young adult 16 through 23 years old who is interested in getting vaccinated. College campuses have reported outbreaks of serogroup B meningococcal disease in recent years. Learn what people need to know about serogroup B meningococcal diseasepdf icon.
Find a meningococcal vaccine by contacting your doctor’s office, pharmacy, community health center, or your local health department.
Footnote
- CDC routinely recommends MenACWY vaccine for children and adults at increased risk for meningococcal disease during an outbreak involving serogroups A, C, W, or Y. CDC recommends a booster shot for those at increased risk due to an outbreak who received the vaccine more than 5 years prior.
- CDC routinely recommends MenACWY vaccine for children and adults at increased risk for meningococcal disease, including those with HIV. People with HIV should get a 2-dose primary series of MenACWY vaccine, with the second dose given at least 8 weeks after the first, followed by a booster dose every 5 years. If someone completed their primary series before the age of 7 years, they should get their first booster dose 3 years later and then get a booster dose every 5 years.
