FLORIDA — Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and individuals with HIV who live in Florida or plan to travel to Florida should get a meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Wednesday.

Although anyone can get meningitis, at least 24 cases and seven deaths among gay and bisexual men in the state in what the CDC is calling “one of the worst outbreaks of meningococcal disease among gay and bisexual men in U.S. history.”

“Getting vaccinated against meningococcal disease is the best way to prevent this serious illness, which can quickly become deadly,” said Dr. José R. Romero, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

The announcement was made as Florida played host to a variety of Pride events.

People can find a meningococcal vaccine by contacting their doctor’s office, pharmacy, community health center, or local health department. Insurance providers should pay for meningococcal vaccination for those whom it is recommended for during an outbreak. In Florida, anyone can get a MenACWY vaccine at no cost at any county health department during the outbreak. 

Symptoms include a sudden, high fever as well as headache, stiff neck, nausea/vomiting, or a dark purple rash and can worsen quickly. It usually take close or lengthy contact such as kissing or being near someone coughing, to spread the bacteria.