Final answer:
Adolescents and young adults, usually between the ages of 11-12 with a booster at 16, should receive the meningococcal vaccine according to CDC guidelines due to their increased risk of infection, particularly those in close-contact environments like schools and colleges.
Therefore , option C is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should identify that the meningococcal vaccine should be administered to adolescents and young adults, specifically those between the ages of 11-12 years, with a booster at age 16. This recommendation is in line with the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which suggest that this age group is at a heightened risk, especially in settings such as schools and colleges where close contact can facilitate the transmission of the disease. It is important to note that while infants as young as two months can be vaccinated and older adults may benefit in certain situations, it is the adolescents and young adults who are typically targeted for vaccination due to their increased risk of contracting meningococcal meningitis.