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We Asked An Expert The Important Questions About Meningococcal Disease

Learn more about taking the necessary steps to help protect your children against meningococcal disease with The 16 Vaccine.

The 16 Vaccine
by The 16 Vaccine

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Text: "We asked an expert the important questions about meningococcal disease. The 16 vaccine"

Navigating your own health, let alone your child’s health, can seem like a daunting task.

And in a world with information overload, it can be challenging to determine what course is best for your family.


Luckily, we were able to have a chat with Albert G. Karam, MD (aka, Dr. Al), a board-certified pediatrician who has been serving the children of Dallas in his private practice for more than 35 years while advocating for vaccinating against meningococcal disease.


As a father of six children and grandfather of seven, Dr. Al knows parents should have the most up-to-date, scientifically sound advice and care as possible when it comes to pediatric health. That’s why he’s so enthusiastic about partnering with The 16 Vaccine campaign to help protect teens and raise awareness of CDC-recommended MenACWY vaccination and other adolescent vaccinations, including MenB.


Let’s dive in!


Text: What is meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease is a rare, but potentially deadly, bacterial infection. It can develop rapidly and claim a life in as little as one day, and anyone can get it but teens are at an increased risk. 


Meningococcal disease can be difficult to diagnose, especially in its early stages, because symptoms can be similar to those of common viral illnesses like the flu (e.g., fever, headache, muscle aches).


Text: Why are young people susceptible to it?

Think about when you were a teenager — what kinds of things were you doing? Perhaps living in a dorm, going to group events, kissing, or sharing water bottles with teammates. Meningococcal disease is contagious and is spread through respiratory droplets or saliva, which can spread person to person when living in close quarters and socializing in crowded settings.


Text: What is the best way parents can help protect their children against meningococcal disease?

Vaccination is the best defense against meningococcal disease. The CDC recommends a first dose of MenACWY vaccine for all adolescents at 11-12 years old and a second dose at 16 years old. However, around half of US teens have not received the second crucial dose of MenACWY vaccine. Parents should also ask about MenB and other adolescent vaccinations.


Text: What can happen if parents forgo vaccinating their children against meningococcal disease.

Though rare, this disease can take the life of a previously healthy teen in as little as 24 hours. Sadly, 10-15% of those who contract meningococcal disease will die from it and 1 in 5 survivors will live with severe, long-term complications such as hearing loss, brain and kidney damage, and limb amputations.


Text: Why have so many teens missed the second dose of the MenACWY vaccine?

Some parents are aware of the first dose of MenACWY vaccine at 11-12 years old but many don’t know that the CDC recommends a second dose at 16 years old. Mandates for this vaccine also vary state by state. Despite the CDC recommendation, not every state requires both doses.


Text: Do you find parents think a single dose at 11-12 is effective enough to they don't make the second dose a priority?

Life with a teen is hectic; it may slip the minds of many parents. The CDC recommends a second dose of the MenACWY vaccine because protection from the first dose can wane after five years. Despite the increased risk that teenagers face for contracting meningococcal disease, millions of teens remain unprotected as around half in the US have missed the second dose.


Text: What's the key takeaway you want parents to remember when considering Menawy for their children?

You can take action today! For us parents, the pandemic has added an entirely new layer helping to ensure the safety and protection of our kids, especially our strong-willed and independent teenagers. Don’t wait. Talk to your teen’s doctor about the CDC-recommended second dose of MenACWY vaccine and other important adolescent vaccines, including MenB.


I encourage parents to go the The16Vaccine.org, where they can learn more about the disease and hear stories of survivors and parents who have lost their children to it. To help ensure your teen doesn't miss out on meningococcal vaccination, you can set a vaccination reminder through the website. When you schedule the reminder, you will get an email when your child turns 16, encouraging you to schedule an appointment with their doctor. 

You’ve got the basics. Now it’s time to take it a step further. Talk to your doctor about vaccinating your teen and visit The 16 Vaccine to learn more about this potentially life-saving protection.

Design by Dan Blaushild for BuzzFeed. Images courtesy of Getty Images.