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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Only 39% of high-risk young Americans received the meningococcal B vaccine in 2023, and geography plays a major role. A study across 10 US health systems found stark regional gaps, with the Eastern region nearly 3.4x more likely to vaccinate than the West. Those with complement component deficiencies were the least protected, with just 19% receiving even one dose.
A large analysis of electronic health records from 10 integrated US health systems found that meningococcal B vaccination rates among high-risk youth remain concerningly low — and highly unequal. Among over 2.2 million individuals aged 10–25 years enrolled in 2023, only 39% of those with high-risk conditions like asplenia, sickle cell disease, or complement component deficiencies (CCD) had received at least one vaccine dose.
The data also reveal a clear regional divide. The Eastern US was over three times more likely to see vaccination initiation compared to the Western region, and the age at which initiation began to decline also varied — starting as early as 20 in the East and as late as 23 in the West. The most common vaccination age was 18, suggesting most doses are tied to college entry requirements rather than proactive clinical outreach.
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Why it matters: Meningococcal B disease can be rapidly fatal, and high-risk individuals are especially vulnerable. These findings highlight how shared clinical decision-making — the current CDC recommendation framework — may be contributing to inequitable vaccine uptake across regions, demographics, and health systems, signaling a need for more standardized guidance.
