Brady Collins
Meningococcal disease is a serious illness that can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections. It is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, which has several serogroups, including A, B, C, W, and Y. To prevent this disease, there are several meningococcal vaccines available that offer protection against one or multiple serogroups. The MenACWY vaccine protects against serogroups A, C, W, and Y, while the MenB vaccine specifically targets serogroup B. The MenABCWY vaccine combines the protection of both MenACWY and MenB vaccines. The effectiveness of these vaccines varies, and booster shots may be required to maintain protection, especially for the MenB vaccine, as protective antibodies tend to decrease quickly after vaccination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of vaccines available in the US | 6 |
| Bacteria serogroups they protect against | A, B, C, W, X, Y |
| MenACWY vaccines | Menveo, MenQuadfi |
| MenB vaccines | Bexsero, Trumenba |
| MenABCWY vaccines | Penbraya, Penmenvy |
| MenACWY protection duration | Decreases in many teens within 5 years |
| MenB protection duration | Decreases within 1 to 2 years |
| MenABCWY protection duration | Similar to MenACWY and MenB |
| MenACWY recommendation | For children between 2 months and 10 years old with certain conditions |
| MenB recommendation | For children 10 years or older with certain conditions |
| MenACWY booster shot | Recommended for 16-year-olds |
| MenB booster shot | Important for those at increased risk of serogroup B meningococcal disease |
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What You'll Learn
Effectiveness of MenB vaccines
Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious illness that causes meningitis and bloodstream infections. It can be deadly, but vaccines help prevent it. The Neisseria meningitides bacteria cause invasive diseases in the form of meningitis and sepsis. The disease can strike any age group, but very young children and persons aged 16 to 23 have the highest incidence. The bacteria have caused epidemics on the African continent. In the U.S., the disease tends to occur sporadically or in small outbreaks. The case-fatality rate is 10 to 15%, and as many as 20% of survivors are often left with neurologic damage, limb loss, or hearing impairment.
There are 6 meningococcal vaccines available in the United States. Meningococcal vaccines help protect against one serogroup (strain) or multiple serogroups of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease. Meningococcal vaccines help protect those who get vaccinated, but protection decreases over time. The first meningococcal vaccines developed were polysaccharide vaccines. MPSV4 (Menomune®) contains four purified bacterial polysaccharides and covers strains A, C, W, and Y. The next vaccines developed were quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines. Men ACYW (Menactra® and Menveo®) are composed of capsular polysaccharide conjugated to a protein and cover meningococcal strains A, C, W, and Y. The Men ACYW vaccines are recommended for routine use in adolescents aged 11 or 12 years, with a booster dose at age 16 years. Hib-MenCY-TT (MenHibrix®) offers protection against Y and C serotypes of Neisseria Meningities, as well as Haemophilus influenza. It may be given to children at increased risk of meningococcal disease starting at six weeks and up to 18 months of age.
In 2014 and 2015, two vaccines offering protection against the B serotype of meningococcus were licensed: MenB-FHbp (Trumenba®) and MenB-4C (Bexsero®). Each vaccine is composed of novel protein or lipoprotein antigens. Therefore, the vaccines are not interchangeable. The polysaccharide in the B strains of meningococcus is similar to a polysaccharide found in humans, making Men B vaccines more challenging to develop. The development of these vaccines required sequencing of the bacterial genome to find proteins unique to the Neisseria bacterial wall that could be used as antigens to stimulate immunity in humans.
Clinical trials of vaccine effectiveness are not practical or possible because the incidence of disease is low. Instead, vaccine efficacy was based on "complement-mediated antibody killing" detected in the serum of individuals who received the vaccines, a surrogate measure of protection. In separate studies, vaccines were given to different adolescent populations ranging in age from 11 to 65 years. Eighty-four percent of subjects who received three doses of MenB-FHpb, and 63 to 94% who received two doses of MenB4C were considered immune, based on immunogenicity studies to four strains of meningococcus B that occur in the U.S. Other strains will be tested in the future. Long-term studies have not yet been reported on either vaccine. In both vaccines, there was a modest decline in antibodies over time (6 to 48 months). The clinical significance of this immunologic data is unclear. It is possible that the vaccines could continue to protect against infection even in persons with low antibody titers.
Available data on MenB vaccines suggest that protective antibodies decrease quickly (within 1 to 2 years) after vaccination. Experts believe MenB vaccines don't provide protection to unvaccinated people through population immunity. For the MenB-FHbp vaccine, there were reports of 13 cases of autoimmune conditions in the 4,576 persons who received the vaccine and none in the 1,028 controls. On closer examination, the reported conditions were felt to predate the vaccine, have other explanations for causation, or did not have a higher rate than expected in the population. Additional information was presented in June 2015, to the ACIP, including seven credible, serious adverse events (pyrexia, vomiting, vertigo, chills, headache, anaphylaxis, and neutropenia) in 4 out of 9,808 persons who received at least one dose of this vaccine. All adverse effects resolved without long-term consequences.
The MenB vaccine works very well at protecting children against most types of meningococcal group B bacteria in the UK. Research has shown that the vaccine is very effective at preventing illnesses caused by these bacteria. Before the MenB vaccine was introduced, meningococcal group B bacteria were the biggest cause of meningitis and sepsis in the UK. Since the vaccine has been used in the UK, there has been a big drop in the number of young children getting MenB illnesses. The MenB vaccine helps protect children against bacterial infections caused by meningococcal group B bacteria (MenB). However, the MenB vaccine does not protect against other causes of meningitis and sepsis, so it's still important to be aware of the symptoms.
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Meningococcal disease
Meningococcal vaccines help protect against meningococcal disease. They contain killed or inactivated bacteria and cannot cause the disease. The vaccines induce the body's immune system to make proteins called antibodies, which can identify and fight the disease, providing immunity. The vaccines are generally safe, with severe allergic reactions occurring in fewer than one in a million doses. They are given either by injection into a muscle or just under the skin.
There are six meningococcal vaccines available in the United States, which vary by the number of serogroups they can protect against. MenACWY vaccines (Menveo and MenQuadfi) protect against four serogroups: A, C, W, and Y. MenB vaccines (Bexsero and Trumenba) protect against serogroup B. MenABCWY vaccines (Penbraya and Penmenvy) protect against five serogroups: A, B, C, W, and Y. The choice of vaccine depends on factors such as age, health conditions, and risk factors.
The effectiveness of meningococcal vaccines differs by vaccine type and bacteria serogroup. Clinical trials of vaccine effectiveness are challenging due to the low incidence of the disease. Available data suggest that protection from MenACWY vaccines decreases within five years, and protective antibodies from MenB vaccines decrease within one to two years. Booster doses are important for maintaining protection, especially for those at increased risk of serogroup B meningococcal disease.
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MenACWY and MenB vaccines for children
Meningococcal vaccines help protect against meningococcal disease, which is very contagious and can cause meningitis and sepsis. The vaccines contain killed or inactivated bacteria and cannot cause meningococcal disease. When someone is given the vaccine, their body's immune system makes proteins called antibodies, which can identify and fight the disease, preventing the infected person from getting sick. This is called immunity.
There are several types of meningococcal vaccines available, including MenACWY, MenB, and MenABCWY. The MenACWY vaccine helps protect against four types of bacteria linked to meningitis (A, C, W, and Y), while the MenB vaccine helps protect against serogroup B meningococcal disease. The MenABCWY vaccine offers protection against five serogroups of bacteria (A, B, C, W, and Y).
The MenACWY vaccine is typically given to children when they are 11 or 12 years old, with a booster shot given at age 16. It can also be administered to younger children (as early as 8 weeks old) who are at a higher risk of contracting meningococcal disease. The vaccine is recommended for all teenagers and is usually given at school when they are 13 or 14 years old. If missed during this time, it can be given up to the age of 25.
The MenB vaccine is not yet recommended as a routine vaccine for all healthy individuals. However, children over the age of 10 who are at a higher risk of contracting meningococcal disease should receive it. For those who are not at increased risk, the MenB vaccine can be administered between the ages of 16 and 23, ideally between 16 and 18 when the risk of infection is highest.
Both the MenACWY and MenB vaccines can be given at the same time, and the decision to get the MenB vaccine should be made collaboratively by teens, their parents, and their doctor. It is important to note that while vaccines are effective in preventing meningococcal disease, they do not prevent all types of meningitis, so staying informed about the symptoms is crucial even after vaccination.
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Meningococcal vaccines and meningitis vaccines
Meningococcal vaccines are used to prevent infection by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, which can cause meningitis and sepsis. The meningococcal vaccine helps to prevent the spread of meningococcal disease, thereby protecting other people, including babies who are too young to get the vaccines, people with severe allergies, and those with serious illnesses. Meningococcal vaccines contain inactivated bacteria, which means they cannot cause the disease. Instead, the body's immune system creates antibodies to fight the disease, resulting in immunity.
There are six meningococcal vaccines available in the United States, and they vary by the number of serogroups they can protect against. The serogroups refer to the different strains of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease. The MenACWY vaccines protect against four serogroups: A, C, W, and Y. The MenB vaccines protect against serogroup B, which is a major cause of meningococcal disease in younger children and adolescents. The MenABCWY vaccines protect against five serogroups: A, B, C, W, and Y.
The choice of vaccine depends on various factors, including age, health conditions, and risk factors. The CDC recommends MenB vaccination for children aged 10 and above with certain immune disorders, those taking specific medications, those with a damaged spleen or sickle cell disease, and those at increased risk due to a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak. For adults, the CDC recommends MenACWY vaccination for those with similar immune disorders and those at increased risk of serogroup A, C, W, or Y meningococcal disease. Pregnant or breastfeeding women at increased risk of serogroup B meningococcal disease may get the MenB vaccine after consulting with their doctor.
The effectiveness of meningococcal vaccines differs by vaccine type and bacteria serogroup. Clinical trials of vaccine effectiveness are challenging due to the low incidence of the disease. However, studies have shown that individuals who received two or three doses of MenB vaccines developed antibodies and were considered immune to several strains of meningococcus B. Data suggests that protection from MenACWY vaccines decreases within five years, especially in adolescents, making the 16-year-old MenACWY booster shot critical. Similarly, data indicates that protective antibodies from MenB vaccines decrease within one to two years.
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Meningococcal vaccines for preteens and teens
Meningococcal disease is a serious illness that can cause meningitis (brain and spinal cord infections), bacteremia (blood infections), and septic arthritis (joint infections). It is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides, which has at least 13 strains, although the A, B, C, W, and Y serogroups account for the majority of invasive disease. The disease is deadly in 10-15% of cases, and up to 20% of survivors are left with permanent disabilities.
Meningococcal vaccines help protect against one or multiple serogroups (strains) of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease. Vaccines contain killed or inactivated bacteria, meaning they cannot cause the disease. Once administered, the body's immune system creates antibodies that can fight the disease, a process known as immunity.
The CDC recommends meningococcal vaccination for all preteens and teens. There are three types of meningococcal vaccines used in the United States: MenACWY, MenB, and MenABCWY. The MenACWY vaccine helps protect against serogroups A, C, W, and Y, while the MenB vaccine protects against serogroup B. The MenABCWY vaccine combines the protection of both MenACWY and MenB into a single shot.
Preteens aged 11-12 should receive the MenACWY vaccine, followed by a booster dose at age 16. This is because protection from the vaccine decreases over time, and teens are at highest risk of contracting meningococcal disease. Catch-up vaccination is recommended for all adolescents aged 13-18 who did not receive their first dose at 11-12. Those who get their first dose between 13-15 should receive a booster dose between 16-18, while those who get their first dose after 16 do not need a booster.
Teens who are not at increased risk can receive the MenB vaccine when they are 16-23 years old, ideally between 16-18 when the risk of infection is highest. The decision to get the MenB vaccine should be made together by teens, their parents, and a doctor. If a teen is scheduled to receive both MenACWY and MenB vaccines at the same visit, they can instead receive the MenABCWY vaccine.
Meningococcal vaccines are safe and effective, but there is a chance of side effects, and teens are more likely to experience side effects from the MenB vaccine compared to other vaccines. However, the risk of serious problems is extremely small, and the benefits of getting the vaccine far outweigh the risks of contracting meningococcal disease.
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Frequently asked questions
The meningococcal vaccine refers to any vaccine used to prevent infection by Neisseria meningitidis. Different versions are effective against some or all of the following types of meningococcus: A, B, C, W-135, and Y.
Meningococcal B vaccines are specifically designed to protect against serogroup B meningococcal disease, which is a major cause of meningococcal disease in younger children and adolescents. On the other hand, the meningococcal vaccine can refer to any vaccine that protects against one or multiple serogroups of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease.
The CDC recommends MenB vaccination for children aged 10 and above who have a rare type of immune disorder called complement component deficiency, are taking a complement inhibitor, have a damaged spleen or sickle cell disease, or are part of a population at increased risk due to a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak. Pregnant or breastfeeding women who are at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease may also get the MenB vaccine, but they should consult a doctor to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks.
