MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE. SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Meningitis Vaccine in Arizona

Meningococcal meningitis can kill within 24 hours, and travelers to sub-Saharan Africa’s meningitis belt and Hajj or Umrah pilgrims face real, documented risk. Get vaccinated at our Scottsdale travel clinic before you go. Same-day appointments often available.

Call (480) 435-2774 Book Online

85 to 100% effective . Required for Hajj and Umrah . 5-year booster for ongoing risk

QUICK FACTS

Meningitis is a potentially fatal infection that affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The disease can progress rapidly, and certain forms are highly contagious.

International travelers, particularly those visiting parts of Africa, are at elevated risk for meningococcal meningitis, especially during the dry season.

The meningitis vaccine is highly effective and recommended for travelers to specific destinations or events, such as the Hajj pilgrimage.

Meningococcal Meningitis: Fast-Moving and Potentially Fatal

Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, which spreads person to person through respiratory droplets and close or prolonged contact. It causes bacterial meningitis (infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and septicemia (bloodstream infection). Even with prompt antibiotic treatment, the case-fatality rate is 10 to 15 percent. Up to 20 percent of survivors are left with permanent complications: deafness, brain damage, limb amputation, or scarring from skin necrosis.

What makes this disease uniquely dangerous is its speed. A person who feels mildly ill at breakfast can be in intensive care by evening. The classic signs of severe headache, stiff neck, fever, sensitivity to light, and a non-blanching rash can progress from onset to death in under 24 hours.

There are several serogroups of N. meningitidis. Serogroups A, C, W, and Y are covered by the conjugate vaccine most travelers receive (MenACWY). Serogroup B, which causes a large share of disease in the United States and Europe, requires a separate vaccine (MenB). Serogroup A is responsible for most epidemic meningitis across sub-Saharan Africa’s meningitis belt.

Who Needs the Meningococcal Vaccine

Vaccination is strongly recommended or required if any of the following apply:

  • You are traveling to or through sub-Saharan Africa’s meningitis belt, especially during the dry season (December through June)
  • You are performing Hajj or Umrah to Saudi Arabia (required by the Saudi government for all pilgrims)
  • You are living or working in close quarters in an at-risk region, such as refugee camps, military barracks, or dormitories
  • You are a college student or will be living in a dormitory in a high-prevalence area
  • You have a functional or anatomic asplenia (absent or non-functional spleen)
  • You have complement component deficiency or are on eculizumab (Soliris) or ravulizumab
  • You are a microbiologist with routine exposure to N. meningitidis isolates

Medically Reviewed By

Norman J. Bizon, PA-C, CTH
Medical Director, 30+ years clinical experience

Tessa E. McFall, ASN, EMT
Travel Health Clinician

Last updated April 21, 2026

DESTINATIONS

Where Meningococcal Disease Is a Risk

The meningitis belt stretches across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east. Saudi Arabia mandates proof of vaccination for all Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Confirm current requirements at your consultation.

Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso. Among the highest-incidence countries globally for serogroup A meningitis. The dry season (December through June) brings explosive outbreaks. Vaccination with MenACWY is strongly recommended for all travelers.

Nigeria. Northern Nigeria sits squarely in the meningitis belt and experiences recurring epidemic seasons. Southern Nigeria has lower but still present risk. All travelers should receive MenACWY before visiting.

Chad, Sudan, South Sudan. Active meningitis belt countries with high serogroup A burden. Humanitarian workers, missionaries, and long-term visitors face elevated risk from close community contact.

Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau. Western anchor of the meningitis belt. Serogroup A risk is lower than the central belt but still significant, especially during dry months. MenACWY recommended for all travelers.

Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire. Southern belt countries where risk is concentrated in the dry season and in northern subregions. Recommended for all travelers, particularly those venturing outside coastal capitals.

Ethiopia. Eastern end of the meningitis belt. Serogroup A outbreaks occur, particularly in highland and lowland transition areas. MenACWY recommended for most itineraries.

Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania. East African countries bordering the belt. Risk is lower than core belt countries but present, especially for travelers in northern regions, refugee settings, or extended stays in rural areas.

Cameroon, Central African Republic, DRC. Central Africa nations with documented meningococcal risk. CAR in particular experiences periodic outbreaks. Long-stay travelers and aid workers should receive MenACWY.

Outbreak patterns shift seasonally. We pull current CDC and WHO guidance for your specific itinerary at your consultation.

Saudi Arabia (Hajj). The Saudi Ministry of Health requires MenACWY vaccination for all Hajj pilgrims, regardless of country of origin. Proof of vaccination within 3 years (for conjugate vaccine) is mandatory for visa issuance. Hajj draws 1.5 to 2 million pilgrims to Mecca annually, creating ideal conditions for respiratory pathogen transmission including meningococcus.

Saudi Arabia (Umrah). Saudi Arabia also requires MenACWY vaccination for Umrah pilgrims year-round. The requirement applies to travelers of all ages from all countries. Check current Saudi consulate guidance for accepted vaccine formulations and documentation format before travel.

Timing for Hajj and Umrah travelers. Allow at least 10 days between vaccination and departure for immunity to develop. Saudi Arabia typically requires the conjugate MenACWY vaccine administered no more than 3 years before pilgrimage. If you received the polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) previously rather than the conjugate, revaccination with the conjugate is required. Bring your vaccination record to the consulate appointment.

Documentation requirements. Saudi consulates require a vaccination certificate on official letterhead from the administering provider. We supply this documentation at your appointment. Requirements can change each pilgrim season. We verify current Saudi Ministry of Health guidance before issuing your paperwork.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION

Hajj and Umrah Vaccination Documentation

Saudi Arabia legally requires proof of MenACWY vaccination as a condition of Hajj and Umrah visa issuance and border entry. The documentation must come from an authorized provider and appear on official clinic letterhead. A handwritten note or pharmacy printout is not accepted.

What you receive at your appointment

  • Official vaccination certificate on TravelBug Health letterhead, accepted by Saudi consulates
  • Confirmation of the conjugate MenACWY formulation as required by the Saudi Ministry of Health
  • Documentation of vaccine brand, lot number, and date of administration
  • We verify current Saudi Ministry of Health requirements before each pilgrim season, as accepted formulations and timing windows can change
  • Re-issuance available from our records if your document is lost or damaged before your pilgrimage

Bring your documentation alongside your passport to the Saudi consulate and to the border. Some airlines flying to Jeddah or Medina verify meningococcal vaccine records before departure from the originating airport. If you previously received the polysaccharide vaccine (Menomune) rather than a conjugate vaccine, Saudi Arabia requires revaccination with MenACWY conjugate. We verify your prior vaccine type from your records.

SAFETY

Who Should Not Get the Meningococcal Vaccine

Meningococcal vaccines are inactivated (not live virus), which makes them safer for a broader range of patients than live vaccines. Contraindications are limited but important to review.

Contraindications and Precautions

You should not receive the vaccine, or should discuss it carefully with our provider, if you:

  • Have a known severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of any meningococcal vaccine
  • Have a severe allergy to any component of the specific vaccine formulation (including diphtheria toxoid in Menactra and MenQuadfi, or CRM197 in Menveo and Bexsero)
  • Are currently acutely ill with moderate or severe illness with or without fever (defer until recovered)
  • Have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome (discuss benefit and risk with your provider, especially for Menactra)

Pregnancy is not a contraindication. MenACWY conjugate vaccines may be given during pregnancy when the benefit outweighs any theoretical risk. Our providers assess this case by case.

Who Especially Benefits From Vaccination

Certain individuals face dramatically higher risk of severe meningococcal disease and have the most to gain from vaccination:

  • Asplenic patients (sickle cell disease, surgical splenectomy): vaccination with both MenACWY and MenB, plus scheduled booster intervals
  • Complement deficiency (C3, C5 to C9, properdin): highest individual risk, both MenACWY and MenB recommended
  • Patients on eculizumab (Soliris) or ravulizumab: ACIP recommends MenACWY and MenB before initiating these drugs
  • HIV-positive individuals: MenACWY recommended at diagnosis and every 5 years
Call to Discuss Your Case

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Specific Situations We Handle

Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims

Saudi Arabia requires MenACWY for all pilgrims. The certificate must come from an authorized provider on official letterhead. We supply the required documentation at your appointment, verify current Saudi Ministry of Health formulation requirements, and confirm your timing window before the pilgrimage season opens.

Asplenic and Immunocompromised Travelers

If you have sickle cell disease, have had your spleen removed, or have complement deficiency, you face dramatically elevated risk of fatal meningococcal disease. ACIP recommends a more intensive vaccination schedule including both MenACWY and MenB, with specific booster intervals. Bring a complete medical history so we can build the right plan.

Students and Group Travelers

College students, gap-year travelers, study-abroad participants, and those staying in dormitories or group housing in at-risk areas face heightened transmission risk. MenB requires two separate doses spaced at least one month apart, so start the vaccination conversation early if you are heading to an African university or abroad program in the meningitis belt.

Pregnancy

Unlike live vaccines, MenACWY and MenB are inactivated and are not contraindicated in pregnancy. ACIP guidance supports vaccination during pregnancy when the individual has a clear indication such as travel to the meningitis belt, Hajj, or a medical risk factor. We weigh timing, destination risk, and gestational age at your appointment.

Patients on Eculizumab or Ravulizumab

These complement-blocking drugs (used in PNH and atypical HUS) prevent the immune system from killing meningococcal bacteria, making infection almost always fatal without vaccination. ACIP recommends both MenACWY and MenB at least 2 weeks before starting therapy. If already on these drugs, vaccinate immediately. Bring your prescribing records.

Prior Polysaccharide Vaccine (MPSV4)

If you received the older polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine (sold as Menomune, now discontinued) rather than a conjugate vaccine, Saudi Arabia and other travel authorities require revaccination with MenACWY conjugate. We verify your prior vaccine type from your records and issue updated documentation.

EFFECTIVENESS

How Well Does the Meningococcal Vaccine Work

MenACWY conjugate vaccines demonstrate 85 to 100 percent effectiveness against the serogroups they cover in clinical trials and real-world outbreak settings. Effectiveness against serogroup A (the dominant strain in the African meningitis belt) is particularly high.

Immunity develops within 7 to 10 days of vaccination. Unlike the older polysaccharide vaccine, conjugate vaccines generate immune memory, producing more durable protection. However, immunity wanes over time in high-risk individuals. ACIP recommends boosting every 5 years for travelers and others with ongoing risk.

MenB vaccines (Bexsero and Trumenba) demonstrate approximately 63 to 88 percent effectiveness against serogroup B strains based on vaccine-strain coverage assessments. No clinical efficacy trials were conducted. Effectiveness is inferred from bactericidal antibody responses using human complement serum assays.

No meningococcal vaccine covers all serogroups. Combined MenACWY plus MenB vaccination provides the broadest protection currently available.

85-100%

MenACWY Efficacy
Against covered serogroups

63-88%

MenB Effectiveness
Based on antibody response data

5-year booster for ongoing risk

For travelers and high-risk individuals continuing MenACWY exposure (MenACWY)

COST AND INSURANCE

What to Expect at Checkout

Travel vaccines are generally not covered by commercial health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid because they’re considered elective rather than medically necessary. That pattern is industry-wide.

At Your Appointment

You’ll be charged for:

  • Travel health consultation (itinerary-based risk assessment)
  • The meningococcal vaccine or vaccines you elect
  • Hajj and Umrah vaccination documentation if applicable
  • Any other vaccines or prescriptions you receive

Pricing varies based on services. Call (480) 435-2774 for current pricing.

What to Ask Your Insurer

Before your appointment, call the member services number on your insurance card and ask:

  • Does my plan cover meningococcal vaccines for travel?
  • CPT code for MenACWY conjugate is typically 90734. MenB Bexsero is 90621. MenB Trumenba is 90620
  • Do I need pre-authorization?
  • Can I apply HSA or FSA funds?

For Reimbursement

After your appointment, we provide a detailed itemized receipt with:

  • CPT codes
  • Diagnosis codes
  • Clinician’s NPI
  • Itemized line items

Reimbursement outcome is between you and your insurer.

SAFETY PROFILE

Side Effects and Safety

Meningococcal vaccines have an excellent safety record established across hundreds of millions of doses. Because they are inactivated vaccines, they cannot cause meningococcal disease.

COMMON. 30 to 60%

Local and Mild Systemic Reactions

  • Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site (most common, resolves within 1 to 3 days)
  • Headache, fatigue, or malaise (24 to 48 hours after vaccination)
  • Low-grade fever (less common in adults than adolescents)
  • Muscle or joint aches (more common with MenB vaccines)

MenB-SPECIFIC. Up to 80% mild reactions

MenB Reactogenicity

MenB vaccines (Bexsero in particular) are more reactogenic than MenACWY. Clinical trials showed up to 80 percent of recipients experienced injection-site pain and roughly 50 percent experienced fatigue or headache. These reactions are self-limited and resolve within 1 to 2 days. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen taken at the time of vaccination reduces severity.

RARE. Less than 1 in 100,000

Serious Reactions

Anaphylaxis: severe allergic reaction is rare, estimated at fewer than 1 in 1,000,000 doses. We observe all vaccine recipients for 15 minutes post-injection.

Guillain-Barre syndrome has been reported in temporal association with Menactra (MenACWY-D) in a very small number of cases. Current data do not confirm a causal link. We discuss this at your consultation if you have a prior GBS history.

Important note for MenB dosing: Bexsero and Trumenba are not interchangeable. If you begin a series with one brand, all subsequent doses must use the same brand. We track your vaccine records and confirm brand consistency at each visit.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

After Your Meningococcal Vaccination

1

Allow 7 to 10 Days

Full protective immunity develops within 7 to 10 days of vaccination. Schedule your appointment at least 2 weeks before departure to allow a comfortable margin, especially if you also need other vaccines.

2

Manage Mild Reactions

A sore arm, mild fatigue, or low-grade fever in the 24 to 48 hours following your shot is normal. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen taken with or just after the vaccine helps reduce discomfort. Call us if symptoms are severe or last beyond 3 days.

3

Carry Your Documentation

Hajj and Umrah pilgrims must present their meningococcal vaccine certificate to the Saudi consulate and again at the border. Keep the original document with your travel paperwork. We retain a copy in your record for re-issuance if needed.

4

Plan for Boosters and MenB Series

If you need MenB, two doses are required at least one month apart (Bexsero) or two to three doses (Trumenba). Start early. For ongoing meningitis belt travel or high-risk occupational exposure, MenACWY boosters every 5 years are recommended.

WHY A TRAVEL CLINIC

TravelBug vs. Primary Care or Pharmacy

Meningococcal vaccines require expert destination-based risk assessment. Not all providers stock every formulation, and documentation for Hajj and Umrah requires specific clinic paperwork. Here is how we compare.

TravelBug Health

  • CDC-recommended travel medicine clinic
  • Hajj and Umrah official documentation issued at appointment
  • Specialist-led itinerary-based risk consultation
  • Same-day or next-day appointments often available
  • Coordinates full panel of travel vaccines
  • Both MenACWY and MenB available

PCP or Retail Pharmacy

  • Not a CDC-designated travel medicine center
  • Cannot issue Hajj or Umrah official documentation
  • Limited or general consultation only
  • Variable scheduling
  • Limited stock of travel-specific vaccines
  • May not carry all meningococcal formulations

SCHEDULE YOUR VACCINATION

TravelBug Health in Scottsdale

We are a dedicated travel medicine clinic in the heart of the Phoenix metro. We see travelers from across the Valley and northern Arizona for meningococcal vaccination and the full range of pre-travel health services, including Hajj and Umrah documentation, malaria prevention, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, and more.

TravelBug Health Travel Clinic
8603 E Royal Palm Rd, Suite 120
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Phone: (480) 435-2774
Email: team@travelbughealth.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (by appointment)

Call Now Book Online

Just minutes from across the Valley

North Scottsdale near the 101 and Shea Blvd:

No referral required. Same-day and next-day appointments are often available. Call us with your itinerary and pilgrimage dates and we’ll find a time that works.

QUESTIONS TRAVELERS ASK

Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing depends on which vaccine or vaccines you receive and the consultation. Call (480) 435-2774 for current pricing before your appointment. We are transparent about costs so there are no surprises. Travel vaccines are typically not covered by commercial insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, though we provide itemized receipts for HSA, FSA, or reimbursement claims.

For travel to sub-Saharan Africa’s meningitis belt, you need the MenACWY conjugate vaccine. This covers serogroups A, C, W, and Y. Serogroup A is responsible for the large epidemic outbreaks in the belt region. MenB is not routinely recommended for African meningitis belt travel but may be added if you have additional risk factors such as asplenia or complement deficiency.

Yes. Saudi Arabia requires proof of MenACWY vaccination for all Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, regardless of nationality. The vaccine must be the conjugate formulation (not the older polysaccharide vaccine). Documentation must be on official provider letterhead. We supply the required documentation at your appointment and verify the current Saudi Ministry of Health requirements before your pilgrimage season.

MenACWY conjugate vaccines provide protection that lasts approximately 5 years in most adults. ACIP recommends a booster dose every 5 years for travelers with ongoing risk, asplenic patients, and others with high-risk medical conditions. The older polysaccharide vaccine lasted only 3 to 5 years with no immune memory, which is why conjugate vaccines are now the standard.

MenACWY covers serogroups A, C, W, and Y. MenB covers serogroup B. Together they cover the five major disease-causing serogroups. Most travelers need MenACWY. MenB is added for students entering dormitories, asplenic individuals, complement-deficient patients, and those on eculizumab or ravulizumab. The vaccines are separate injections and do not interfere with each other when given on the same day.

Yes. MenACWY and MenB can be administered at the same visit in different injection sites. There is no evidence of interference or increased adverse events when the two are co-administered. If you need both, getting them together reduces the number of clinic visits required.

Most commercial health plans, Medicare, and Medicaid do not cover travel vaccines. Some plans may cover meningococcal vaccines for high-risk medical indications (asplenia, complement deficiency, HIV). Call member services before your appointment and ask about CPT codes 90734 (MenACWY conjugate), 90621 (MenB Bexsero), and 90620 (MenB Trumenba). HSA and FSA funds generally apply.

Two doses if you receive Bexsero, spaced at least one month apart. Two or three doses if you receive Trumenba, spaced at 0 and 6 months for the 2-dose schedule, or 0, 1 to 2, and 6 months for the 3-dose schedule. The two MenB brands are not interchangeable. You must complete your series with the same brand you started with.

At least 7 to 10 days before departure for MenACWY, so immunity is established before exposure. If you also need MenB, plan at least one month before departure to allow time for the second dose. Hajj and Umrah pilgrims should schedule even earlier to allow time for Saudi consulate documentation processing. Call us as early as possible so we can build the right schedule.

Yes. Neisseria meningitidis spreads through respiratory droplets and close or prolonged contact with an infected person. Casual contact does not transmit it efficiently, but sharing household space, dormitories, or participating in large gatherings such as Hajj creates significant transmission opportunity. The bacteria can colonize the throat without causing illness, which means a carrier can transmit it to others without appearing sick.

Early symptoms include sudden severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, and nausea or vomiting. Meningococcal septicemia (bloodstream infection) can produce a characteristic red or purple non-blanching rash. The disease can progress from initial symptoms to severe illness or death in less than 24 hours. If you or a travel companion develop these symptoms after visiting a high-risk area, seek emergency care immediately.

Yes, generally. MenACWY and MenB are inactivated vaccines and are not contraindicated during pregnancy. ACIP guidance supports vaccinating pregnant individuals when there is a clear medical indication or imminent travel to a high-risk area. We review your trimester, destination, and risk level at your appointment and make a recommendation tailored to your situation.

It depends on which vaccine you received and when. If you received MenACWY within the last 5 years, you are likely still protected for travel. If it has been more than 5 years, a booster is recommended. If you received the older polysaccharide vaccine (Menomune) at any point, Saudi Arabia requires revaccination with the conjugate formulation. Bring your vaccination records to your appointment and we will verify what you need.

  • Your travel itinerary including destinations, dates, and planned activities
  • Any prior immunization records (especially prior meningococcal vaccines)
  • A current medication list, especially if you take immunosuppressants, biologics, or complement-inhibiting drugs
  • Your insurance card if you plan to submit for reimbursement
  • For Hajj or Umrah: your pilgrimage booking confirmation and passport details

Not only safe but strongly recommended. Asplenic individuals are at extremely high risk of severe, rapidly fatal meningococcal disease. ACIP recommends both MenACWY and MenB for asplenic patients, with MenACWY boosters every 5 years. If you are asplenic and have not received meningococcal vaccines before, schedule your appointment well in advance of any travel.

Yes. TravelBug Health is a travel medicine clinic in Scottsdale, serving the entire Phoenix metro. We stock MenACWY and can discuss MenB options at your consultation. Call (480) 435-2774 to schedule, or book online. Same-day and next-day appointments are often available.

Ready to Travel With Confidence?

Schedule Your Meningitis Vaccination

No referral required. Same-day and next-day appointments often available. We handle the consultation, the vaccine, and Hajj or Umrah documentation. All in one visit.

Call (480) 435-2774 Book Online