Two Meningococcal vaccines are available in the United States:

• Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) has been available since the 1970s.
• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) was licensed in 2005.

Both vaccines can prevent 4 types of meningoccal disease, including 2 of the 3 most common types in the United States and a type that causes epidemics in Africa. Meningococcal vaccines cannot prevent all types of disease but they do protect many people who might beecome sick if they did not get the vaccine.

Both vaccines work well, and protect about 90% of those who get it. MVC4 is expected to give better, longer-lasting protection. MCV4 should also be better at preventing the disease from spreading from person to person. It is the preferred vaccine for those aged 11-55.