Risk Factors
Certain people are at increased risk for meningococcal disease. Some risk factors include:
- Age
- Doctors more commonly diagnose meningococcal disease in infants, teens, and young adults. Learn more about vaccine recommendations for age groups at increased risk.
- Community setting
- Infectious diseases tend to spread wherever large groups of people gather together. Several college campuses have reported outbreaks of serogroup B meningococcal disease during the last several years. Learn more about vaccine recommendations for those at increased risk in community settings.
- Certain medical conditions
- Certain medical conditions and medications put people at increased risk of meningococcal disease. They include not having a spleen, having a complement component deficiency, and being infected with HIV. Learn more about vaccine recommendations for those at increased risk due to certain medical conditions.
- Travel
- Travelers to the meningitis belt in sub-Saharan Africa may be at risk for meningococcal disease. Learn more about vaccine recommendations for travelers.
- Page last reviewed: March 28, 2017
- Page last updated: March 28, 2017
- Content source:
- Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases