Get a no-cost meningitis (meningococcal) vaccine today
No cost with most insurance. Plus, get a $5 off $20 coupon* for the next time you shop at CVS®. Age and other restrictions apply.*
Important information about meningitis
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends “meningococcal vaccinations for all preteens and teens.”* In certain situations, the CDC also recommends other people get meningococcal vaccines.
What you should know about meningitis
Meningitis can be caused by bacteria
Meningitis is a disease that can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, resulting in inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord. The CDC reports that while most people with bacterial meningitis recover, it can cause serious complications,* “such as brain damage, hearing loss or learning disabilities.”
A vaccine is the best way to be protected
A vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself against certain types of meningitis. If you are at high risk, be proactive and get vaccinated before getting sick.
The early signs of meningitis can resemble the flu. That's why prevention is critical.
All preteens and teens should be vaccinated
The CDC recommends “meningococcal vaccinations for all preteens and teens.” In certain situations, the CDC also recommends other people get meningococcal vaccines.
Talk to your or your child’s health care provider about what is best for your specific situation.
We can help make vaccines easier
When it’s time for vaccines, it’s time for CVS™
Find 15+ vaccines, like flu, COVID-19, shingles, RSV,* pneumonia (pneumococcal), hepatitis B and more.
Get rewarded for vaccinations
Join ExtraCare® for free and opt in to get $2 in ExtraBucks Rewards* for every vaccination.
More ways healthier happens together® with CVS
FAQs
Viral meningitis (when meningitis is caused by a virus) is the most common type of meningitis, but meningitis can also be caused by certain bacteria, which is the type that vaccines help prevent. Only a small number of people who get infected with the viruses that can cause meningitis will develop viral meningitis. Those infected with meningococcal bacteria can spread their bacterial infection to others by sharing saliva (spit).
There are three types of meningococcal vaccines used in the United States:
- Meningococcal conjugate or MenACWY vaccines
- Serogroup B meningococcal or MenB vaccines
- Pentavalent or MenABCWY vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a single dose of the MenACWY vaccination at age 11 or 12, with a booster shot at 16. If the first dose is instead received in early teens (ages 13 through 15), the booster is given between ages 16 and 18. Teens who receive their first MenACWY vaccine dose at or after age 16 years do not need a booster dose.
The CDC recommends that certain adolescents and adults should receive a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine. If a MenACWY and MenB vaccine are to be given at the same visit, a MenABCWY vaccine may be given instead.
To learn more about the vaccines that are right for you, talk to your pharmacist, health care provider or visit the CDC website.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the three meningitis (meningococcal) vaccines listed above work well, but aren’t able to prevent all cases of meningitis. When undergoing their testing for licensure, MenACWY, MenB and MenABCWY vaccines produced an immune response that suggests the vaccines do provide protection, but there are limited data about how much protection they provide. This is in part due to the uncommon nature of meningococcal disease, as more people would need to get these vaccines to more accurately measure their effectiveness. You can learn more about the effectiveness of these vaccines.
If you have ever had a serious allergic reaction after a previous dose of MenACWY, MenB or MenABCWY vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you do not get subsequent doses of that type of vaccine. Similarly, if you know that you have a severe allergy to any ingredients found within any of these vaccines, you should not get a meningococcal vaccine. If you currently have a moderate or severe illness, with or without fever, the CDC also recommends that you first recover before getting a meningitis vaccine.*
For more information about additional warnings, precautions and meningitis vaccination recommendations, visit the CDC website:
There is always the possibility, as with any medicine, for side effects. After receiving the meningitis vaccine, people typically do not suffer any serious problems. Side effects, should they occur, are usually mild and disappear on their own after a few days. Although uncommon, serious reactions are possible. You can learn more about possible side effects at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
-
*FOR $5 OFF $20 COUPON: Offer available January 8, 2025, through August 10, 2025, while supplies last. Appointments scheduled online will receive the coupon after vaccination. Limit one per customer per vaccine visit. For vaccines that require multiple doses, the coupon will be given with vaccine series completion. Merchandise coupon redeemable at CVS Pharmacy® and Longs Drugs® for one-time use. Terms and conditions apply. See coupon for details. $5 savings applied to total qualifying minimum purchase of $20 (after other coupons and discounts are applied). Reward cannot be earned in Arkansas, New Jersey or New York. This offer is solely made by CVS® and not connected with any vaccine manufacturer.
-
*FOR VACCINES OFFERED: Availability varies by state based on regulations. Age restrictions apply. Available when a certified immunizer is on duty. Eligible patients will not pay any copayments unless otherwise required by their plan, including Medicare Part B. Vaccines are currently available at most CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® locations and is no cost with most insurance plans.
-
*FOR MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINATIONS FOR ALL PRETEENS AND TEENS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal vaccination: what everyone should know. Published November 20, 2023. Accessed November 25, 2024.
-
*FOR BACTERIAL MENINGITIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Meningitis. Published February 12, 2024. Accessed November 25, 2024.
-
*FOR BACTERIAL MENINGITIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teen Newsletter: Meningitis. Published January 2023. Accessed November 25, 2024.
-
*FOR RSV: Respiratory syncytial virus.
-
*FOR REWARDS AT THE PHARMACY: You must enroll in the ExtraCare® program and sign the Privacy Authorization to earn ExtraBucks Rewards® for pharmacy activities. You will receive $2 ExtraBucks Rewards when you accumulate 4 credits, up to $50 ExtraBucks Rewards in a calendar year. Rewards at the pharmacy are valid only in the United States and are not available in Arkansas, New Jersey or New York; for any prescriptions transferred to a CVS Pharmacy® in Alabama, Mississippi or Oregon; for any controlled substance prescriptions purchased in Hawaii or Louisiana; or where otherwise prohibited by law. Check terms and conditions for details or ask a CVS® pharmacy team member for a copy.
-
*FOR WHO SHOULD NOT GET VACCINATED: This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This is not an all-inclusive list of who should not be vaccinated. Consult with your health care provider or talk to your CVS Pharmacy® certified immunizer to see if the vaccine is right for you.
