Updated Meningococcal Vaccine Recommendations for Children Under 2 Years

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is uncommon but can progress rapidly and become life-threatening. Young children, especially those under two years of age, are among the groups at highest risk.

IMD can cause serious complications, including meningitis (infection around the brain and spinal cord), bloodstream infection (sepsis), hearing loss, neurological complications, limb loss, permanent skin scarring, and death.

At Destinations Travel & Immunization Clinic (DTC), our pharmacists and healthcare professionals stay current with evolving vaccine recommendations to ensure children and families receive evidence-based immunization guidance.

DTC Vaccine Assessment Workflow

Step 1: Review Child’s Immunization History

Before recommending vaccination, DTC reviews:

• Child’s age
• Previous meningococcal vaccines received
• Vaccine product used (if available)
• Provincial immunization schedule
• Underlying medical conditions
• Travel plans or increased exposure risks
• Previous vaccine reactions

Our goal is to determine whether the child requires routine protection, high-risk immunization, or travel-related meningococcal protection.

Step 2: Apply Updated NACI Recommendations

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has updated recommendations regarding quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines (Men-C-ACYW) for children under two years of age.

Routine vaccination: healthy children 12–23 months. NACI now recommends all children aged 12–23 months receive one dose of a Men-C-ACYW vaccine. This recommendation applies regardless of whether the child received meningococcal vaccination during infancy.

Approved Men-C-ACYW options include Menactra, MenQuadfi, Menveo, and Nimenrix.

Benefits of the updated approach include protection against additional meningococcal strains (A, W and Y), comparable or stronger protection against serogroup C compared with previous Men-C-C vaccines, a similar safety profile compared with previous meningococcal vaccines, and the ability to be given at the same visit as other routine childhood vaccines.

Step 3: Avoid Unnecessary Revaccination

DTC pharmacists review previous records carefully. Children who have already received a Men-C-C vaccine between 12–23 months of age do not require an additional Men-C-ACYW dose solely because of the vaccine transition. Our pharmacists help families understand when additional doses are beneficial and when they are unnecessary.

Step 4: High-Risk Children Under 2 Years

Children aged 6 weeks to 23 months who have an increased risk of invasive meningococcal disease may require Men-C-ACYW vaccination.

Examples of higher-risk situations may include certain underlying medical conditions, increased risk of exposure to meningococcal serogroups A, C, Y or W, specific travel destinations, and other circumstances identified by healthcare providers. DTC evaluates each child individually and follows current NACI recommendations.

Step 5: Travel-Related Meningococcal Assessment

For families travelling internationally, DTC provides a personalized travel vaccine consultation. Our assessment includes destination country, length of stay, age of traveller, activities and exposure risks, previous meningococcal vaccination, entry requirements, and timing before departure.

Certain countries or travel situations may require additional meningococcal protection, including travel to areas where meningococcal disease is more common or where proof of vaccination may be required.

Step 6: Vaccine Administration and Documentation

At DTC, vaccines are administered by trained healthcare professionals, vaccine records are updated, families receive documentation for personal records and travel purposes, and timing of future doses is reviewed. Men-C-ACYW vaccines may be administered alongside other recommended vaccines when appropriate.

DTC Patient Counselling: What Parents Should Know

Our pharmacists explain why the vaccine recommendation changed — the previous childhood program focused mainly on serogroup C protection, and the updated quadrivalent vaccines expand protection to include serogroups A, W and Y.

We also explain why timing matters, since young children have increased vulnerability to meningococcal disease, making age-appropriate vaccination important, and review vaccine safety — studies reviewed by NACI found similar tolerability between Men-C-ACYW and previous Men-C-C vaccines.

Protection during adolescence remains important too, since meningococcal disease risk increases again during teenage years and young adulthood.

Why Choose DTC for Childhood and Travel Immunization?

At Destinations Travel & Immunization Clinic, we provide comprehensive care (detailed vaccine history review, individual risk assessment, evidence-based recommendations), specialized expertise (travel medicine consultation, current vaccine guidance, international health recommendations), and convenient access (pharmacist-led immunization services, family-focused consultations, coordination with existing healthcare providers).

Vaccination recommendations continue to evolve as new evidence and vaccine options become available. Book a consultation with Destinations Travel & Immunization Clinic to review your child’s meningococcal vaccine needs and ensure they are protected according to the latest Canadian recommendations.

The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your health care provider first. Full Disclaimer