Meningococcal Disease Outbreak Advisory

Effective 2016

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Southern California, mostly among gay and bisexual men. Meningococcal disease causes meningitis and blood infections, which can be deadly. Due to this outbreak, health experts in Southern California are urging all gay and bisexual men and people who have HIV in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease with a meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY).

Outbreak Vaccine Recommendations:

Los Angeles County
Orange County
San Diego County

  • Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men should be vaccinated.
  • All people with HIV should be vaccinated.
  • If you got the vaccine more than 5 years ago, you should be vaccinated again if you are in one or both of the groups listed above.

Vaccinations are covered at no charge. Please contact your primary care physician to get more information, and make an appointment if you need to get the vaccine. If you have trouble scheduling an appointment or have additional questions, please call L.A. Care Member Services at 1-888-839-9909 (TTY 711) or 1-888-452-2273 (TTY 711).