Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Meningococcal B Vaccination Since the 2015 Recommendation: A Review

Abstract

The United States Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends routine vaccination against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, and Y for all aged 11–12 years (with a booster dose for age 16 years) and vaccination against meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) for ages 16–23 years under shared clinical decision-making (SCDM). Considering the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' ongoing revision of the adolescent meningococcal vaccine schedule, it is important to capture the perspectives of key stakeholders (adolescents and young adults, parents, and health-care providers) in order to understand barriers to meningococcal vaccination. We conducted a targeted literature search and narrative review of survey-based studies to consolidate available evidence on knowledge, attitudes, and practices among these stakeholders since the MenB recommendation in 2015. Our study identified persistent knowledge gaps regarding invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) risks, MenB, and SCDM among patients, parents, and health-care providers, suggesting that SCDM may not be consistently taking place. Simplifying the meningococcal vaccination schedule may more broadly protect United States adolescents and young adults against IMD and should be accompanied by efforts to increase knowledge and awareness among patients and parents regarding IMD and MenB.