The first widely used meningitis (meningococcal) vaccines became available in the 1970s , but different types have come out in waves over several decades.

Quick Scoop

  • Early research and experimental meningococcal vaccines started in the 1960s , especially in the U.S. military because of outbreaks in recruits.
  • The first polysaccharide vaccines (targeting specific meningococcal groups like C, then A) were developed and tested around 1968 in military populations.
  • The first broadly used meningococcal vaccine is generally described as becoming available in the 1970s.
  • A tetravalent polysaccharide vaccine (covering A, C, Y, W-135) called Menomune was approved in the U.S. in 1981.
  • The first modern conjugate vaccine (better, longer‑lasting protection), Menactra , was approved in 2005 for ages 11–55.
  • Vaccines against meningococcal B disease arrived much later; for example, Trumenba was approved in 2014 in the U.S. for ages 10–25.
  • Newer combination vaccines (like Penbraya , covering A, B, C, Y, W) were still being approved as recently as 2023.

So if you’re just asking “when did the meningitis vaccine come out,” most sources point to the 1970s as the era when the first meningococcal vaccine became available for broader use, with major improvements and new versions added in the 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s.

In practice, which “year” matters depends on what you mean: first experimental, first broad use, first conjugate, or first group B vaccine.