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As Cases of a Rare, Deadly Infection Rise, Doctors Worry Fewer Teens Will Get Vaccinated

Under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s guidance, the CDC no longer recommends routine vaccination to protect against meningococcal disease.

by NBC News | January 11, 2026
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“It’s really a devastating disease that keeps pediatricians up at night,” said Dr. Kevin Messacar, a professor of pediatric infectious disease at University of Colorado Anschutz in Aurora, Colorado. “It’s difficult to recognize, and we often see patients who are too late to bring back.”