Panel: Teens need another meningitis shot

ATLANTA (AP) — A federal advisory panel is recommending that teens get a booster dose of the vaccine against bacterial meningitis.

They made the recommendation because the vaccine doesn’t work as long as expected.

Three years ago, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said the meningitis vaccine customarily aimed at college freshman should be offered to children ages 11 and 12.

They believed the shot was effective for at least 10 years. But information presented at a medical meeting Wednesday shows the vaccine is effective for less than five years.

The committee decided that teens should get a booster dose at age 16

The panel provides vaccine advice to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which usually adopts its recommendations.