FAQs about PENBRAYA™
(Meningococcal Groups A, B, C, W, and Y Vaccine)
Frequently asked questions about PENBRAYA and meningococcal meningitis
Talk to your teen’s doctor about these and any other questions you may have.
Meningococcal meningitis, also known as meningitis, is an uncommon but extremely dangerous infection. It can strike without warning and cause death, sometimes in less than 24 hours.
Five leading types of meningococcal bacteria—A, B, C, W, and Y—cause nearly all cases.
The bacteria can live in the nose and throat and can be passed along to your teen without anyone knowing. Teens can spread the bacteria via everyday activities with close or extended contact, including sharing food, eating utensils, or even a kiss.
Most who carry the bacteria do not become ill. But among the few who do develop meningococcal disease, 1 out of 10 will die, even with treatment. And 1 out of 5 will suffer long-term consequences, such as hearing loss, the loss of a limb, or brain damage.
Your teen may have received a meningitis shot at age 11 or 12, but they may not be fully vaccinated against all 5 leading types of meningococcal meningitis. According to the CDC, vaccination is the best defense against meningococcal disease.
PENBRAYA is the only FDA-approved vaccine that helps protect your teen from all 5 leading types—A, B, C, W, and Y—of meningococcal meningitis (also known as meningitis).
PENBRAYA combines 2 vaccines that have been in use for nearly 10 years.* The safety of PENBRAYA was researched in 3 clinical studies. 2306 participants ranging in age from 10 to 25 years received at least 1 dose of PENBRAYA.
With PENBRAYA, your teen can now get the broadest protection against all 5 leading types of meningococcal meningitis with the fewest shots.
One vaccine protects against types A, C, W, and Y and the other against type B.
PENBRAYA is the only FDA-approved vaccine for meningitis that helps give your teen the broadest protection with the fewest shots. It combines 2 vaccines that have been in use for nearly 10 years,* to help protect against all 5 leading types—A, B, C, W, and Y—of meningococcal meningitis (also known as meningitis).
One vaccine protects against types A, C, W, and Y and the other against type B.
Even if your teen received a meningitis shot, they may not be fully vaccinated against all 5 leading types—A, B, C, W, and Y—of meningococcal meningitis (also known as meningitis). In fact, nearly 9 out of 10 older teens are not vaccinated against 1 or more of these types.*
Many teens only get the first shot that helps protect against types A, C, W, and Y and don’t get a second dose once they enter their years of increased risk (ages 16 to 23). Many more do not get any shots of the vaccine that helps protect against type B. Teens are more vulnerable to a meningitis infection when they are unvaccinated or have a gap in their vaccination schedule.
PENBRAYA is the only FDA-approved vaccine that helps protect your teen from all 5 leading types of meningococcal meningitis—A, B, C, W, and Y.
Among 17-year-olds in the 2022 National Immunization Survey, only 61% had received 2 or more MenACWY vaccine doses and only 12% had received 2 or more MenB vaccine doses.
The safety of PENBRAYA was researched in 3 clinical studies. 2306 participants ranging in age from 10 to 25 years received at least 1 dose of PENBRAYA.
The studies compared how participants’ immune systems responded to PENBRAYA or an existing vaccine for types A, C, W, and Y, plus an existing vaccine for type B.
Participants experienced similar side effects regardless of which vaccine they received. The most common side effects were pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, injection site redness, injection site swelling, joint pain, and chills.
The most common side effects were pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, injection site redness, injection site swelling, joint pain, and chills.
Child and teen vaccinations are considered preventive care. The Affordable Care Act* requires new health insurance plans to cover preventive care services, including vaccination with vaccines like PENBRAYA. If your teen’s healthcare provider is within your health plan, you will not pay a deductible, copayment, or coinsurance cost.
If you do not have insurance or are enrolled in Medicaid, the Vaccines for Children (VFC)* program may be able to help. The VFC program is paid for by the government. It provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because they are not able to pay. The vaccines are provided for free. But there might be other costs, such as payment for the visit or other services.
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Is your teen protected?
Get the conversation started. Download the PENBRAYA discussion guide and talk to your teen’s doctor today.