Meningococcal vaccination for children with sickle cell disease: which statement is true?

• A. Only given after age 5
• B. Given initially for all children over age 2 with boosters every 5 years
• C. Never given to preschoolers
• D. Increases risk of sepsis

Answer: (B)

Children with sickle cell disease have functional asplenia, which makes them particularly vulnerable to invasive meningococcal disease. To protect them, meningococcal conjugate vaccination is recommended starting at age 2 years and then boosted every 5 years if the risk persists. This schedule provides ongoing protection through childhood and adolescence, when exposure risk remains significant. The vaccine does not increase the risk of sepsis; it reduces the risk by preventing meningococcal infection. The other statements misstate when vaccination can start, who should receive it, or its effect on sepsis risk.