Nothing can be more devasting than having a healthy child develop fever (usually over 101.4 degrees), sudden severe headache, stiff neck, a red to purple rash over lower legs and feet, forearms and hands, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, generalized muscle aches and confusion and within a matters of hours be attached by a tube to a ventilator to breathe (intubated). Overwhelmed parents stand by their intubated child crying “just yesterday afternoon he was shooting hoops”.
This is a brief description of a true case of meningococcal disease. This disease, rare but deadly, is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitides. The bacteria are spread from person to person by saliva (spit) in close contact such as coughing or kissing or just by living closely together such as a dorm or military barracks. These germs can pass quickly in crowded living spaces. This makes teens and young adults at increased risk of meningococcal disease.
Interestingly about 1 in 10 people have these bacteria in their nose and throat and never get sick. But in others the exposure to these bacteria can lead to meningitis, an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, and to sepsis, an infection in the blood.
There are 5 strains of meningococcal disease with vaccines available to prevent them in the U.S. Since these vaccines have become available (the first was available in 2005) the incidence has decreased rapidly. Until 2025, the CDC recommended that all adolescents should be vaccinated and children that are immunocompromised receive more doses of vaccines.
The present, compromised CDC now recommends that because of the low incidence of meningococcal disease in the U.S., “the meningococcal vaccine should not be part of the consensus recommended vaccine schedule”. Their own vaccine safety webpage shows a favorable safety profile. There have been no bad effects of the shots. So, it is a safe, effective method in reducing the number of infections, and could prevent this devastating disease. The parents of the patient above would agree that it be recommended for all children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is dedicated to helping parents and society keep children healthy. The AAP immunization schedule provides the latest trusted guideline on when children should receive immunization as their immune system develops. Every vaccine included has been thoroughly reviewed and licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. Their schedule helps babies, children, and teens stay ahead of serious, preventable diseases such as measles and RSV.
More than 230 organizations have expressed support for the AAP schedule and 12 national organization representing more than 1 million clinicians, physicians, pharmacists and other pediatric health care professionals formally endorse their recommendations for vaccines.
When only some are vaccinated, illness spreads. When everyone is vaccinated, diseases can’t spread. It helps keep children and their families stay healthy while protecting the others in the community who cannot get vaccinated (called herd immunity).
by Sally Robinson, MD Clinical Professor
Keeping Kids Healthy
Published March 2026