Final answer:
The meningococcal vaccine is recommended for adolescents, particularly before they start college and live in dormitories. It is given in a first dose at 11–12 years of age with a booster at age 16, which is covered by insurance for college students in dorms.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse is reviewing the use of the meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) for the prevention of meningitis with a newly licensed nurse. An important piece of information to include is that the meningococcal vaccine is recommended for adolescents before starting college. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinating children between 11 and 12 years of age with a single dose of a quadrivalent vaccine that protects against serotypes A, C, W, and Y, with a booster dose at age 16. This is particularly important for those who will be living in close quarters, such as college dormitories.
Vaccination is crucial for preventing meningitis, especially in high-risk settings like college campuses, where outbreaks are more likely to occur. Although the conjugate vaccine to prevent meningococcal meningitis can be given to infants as young as two months, the standard vaccination schedule in the United States suggests the initial dose be administered at age 11–12, with a subsequent booster. Prophylactic vaccination is covered by insurance for first-year college students living in dorms and is sometimes mandated by colleges.