Meningitis can be caused by bacteria. Three different types are mostly responsible:

• Neisseria meningitidis
  
  
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
  
  
• Haemophilus influenzae type b

Fortunately, there are vaccines that can provide protection from these types of bacteria. For example, vaccination has made a huge impact against the Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) type b diseases in the United States and other countries that have implemented vaccination programs against these bacteria. Plus, vaccination is available in parts of Europe and Canada to protect infants from a dangerous strain of the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria—which can lead to meningococcal meningitis.

However, there’s still an unmet need. Throughout the world, there’s no vaccine available that covers all strains of the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. Plus, in the United States, there’s currently no vaccine available to protect infants under age 2 from any of the strains of the Neisseria meningitidis bacterium.

Thankfully, new vaccines are on the horizon that may be able to help fill the current void. If approved, they will help protect against more types of bacteria.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can give you more information about recommended vaccines, appropriate ages, and timing in the United States. Just click here. Or you can go to your country’s government information source for specific information.

Learn more about some of the different vaccines that are available to help prevent different forms of meningitis caused by bacteria...

If there was a vaccine you (or your child) didn’t get, don’t worry. It’s likely that you can still catch up. Talk with your doctor, and simply download a catch-up schedule to learn more. Plus, you can access a handy interactive tool that determines the vaccination schedule for missed or skipped vaccines.

Find out how the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) provides federally funded vaccines to eligible children through 18 years of age.

To easily find out, check the Travelers’ Health page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here you can easily find out which vaccines the CDC recommends for US travelers to any country in the world. If you are living outside of the United States, please refer to the vaccination recommendations from the country you are currently residing in.