Overview
- The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) now advises a single MenACWY dose for all 12–14-year-olds, with catch-up permitted through the 25th birthday.
- The shot is intended for the J1 adolescent health check and can be given alongside other teenage vaccines such as Tdap-IPV or HPV.
- The previous standard MenC vaccination in the second year of life is withdrawn, while the infant MenB series at two, four, and twelve months remains recommended.
- Epidemiology shows infections are rare yet often severe; adolescents 15–19 face the highest risk and commonly carry the bacteria, and modelling supports vaccinating at 12–14 to curb disease and transmission.
- Routine availability will take several months as practices await supply and reimbursement arrangements with statutory health insurers before billing can begin.