Meningococcal vaccination for children with sickle cell disease: which statement is true?

Meningococcal vaccination for children with sickle cell disease: which statement is true?

• A. Only given after age 5
• B. Given initially for all children over age 2 with boosters every 5 years
• C. Never given to preschoolers
• D. Increases risk of sepsis

Answer: (B)

Children with sickle cell disease have functional asplenia, which makes them particularly vulnerable to invasive meningococcal disease. To protect them, meningococcal conjugate vaccination is recommended starting at age 2 years and then boosted every 5 years if the risk persists. This schedule provides ongoing protection through childhood and adolescence, when exposure risk remains significant. The vaccine does not increase the risk of sepsis; it reduces the risk by preventing meningococcal infection. The other statements misstate when vaccination can start, who should receive it, or its effect on sepsis risk.

Children with sickle cell disease have functional asplenia, which makes them particularly vulnerable to invasive meningococcal disease. To protect them, meningococcal conjugate vaccination is recommended starting at age 2 years and then boosted every 5 years if the risk persists. This schedule provides ongoing protection through childhood and adolescence, when exposure risk remains significant. The vaccine does not increase the risk of sepsis; it reduces the risk by preventing meningococcal infection. The other statements misstate when vaccination can start, who should receive it, or its effect on sepsis risk.