Sarah Bennett
Meningococcal disease is a serious illness that can cause bacterial meningitis and bloodstream infections. It is an uncommon but life-threatening infection that can lead to swelling around the brain and spinal cord and cause blood infections. Vaccines are the best way to prevent this disease. There are several types of meningococcal vaccines available, including MenACWY and MenB, which are recommended for preteens, teens, and adults at increased risk. These vaccines do not contain live bacteria and cannot cause meningococcal disease. They work by using antigens taken from the polysaccharide capsule of the bacteria and binding them to a separate protein that targets the body's immune cells.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of meningococcal vaccines licensed in the US | 5-6 |
| Number of meningococcal vaccines types | 3 |
| Protection against serogroups | A, B, C, W, and Y |
| Protection duration | Antibodies decrease within 1-5 years |
| Vaccine ingredients | Antigens, polysaccharides, tetanus toxoid protein carrier, recombinant lipidated fHBP variants, oligosaccharides, CRM197 protein, recombinant proteins NadA, NHBA, and fHbp, OMV |
| Vaccine safety | No live bacteria, mild side effects, rare severe allergic reactions |
| Recommended age groups | 2 months to 55 years old, routine immunization for children aged 11-12, booster for 16-18 years old |
| Protection rate | 85-90% effective |
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What You'll Learn
- Meningococcal vaccines do not contain live bacteria
- MenACWY vaccines are recommended for preteens and teens
- MenB vaccines are important for those at risk of serogroup B meningococcal disease
- Meningococcal vaccines are about 85-90% effective
- Meningococcal vaccines are safe and proven to help fight the disease
Meningococcal vaccines do not contain live bacteria
Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious illness that causes meningitis and bloodstream infections. It can be deadly, but vaccines can help prevent it. The meningococcal vaccine is the key to preventing meningococcal disease.
There are five meningococcal vaccines licensed in the U.S. None of these vaccines contains live bacteria. The vaccines contain antigens, substances that trigger the body's immune system and cause it to make antibodies. These antibodies then protect the body by attacking and killing the bacteria if they invade the body.
The first vaccine, the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine or MPSV4, was approved in 1978. It's made with the antigens contained in the outer polysaccharide or sugar capsule that surrounds the bacterium. The meningococcal conjugate vaccine or MCV4 was approved in 2005. It uses antigens taken from the polysaccharide capsule and then bound to a separate protein that targets the body's immune cells. This makes it easier for the body's immune system to see and recognize the antigens.
Since 2015, two serogroup B vaccines have been approved to protect against the other two forms of meningococcal disease. MenB-FHpb (Trumenba) is approved for a three-dose schedule, while MenB-4C (Bexsero) is approved for two doses. Both vaccines have proven effective in protecting those ages 10-25, but have also been found to be useful for older patients.
Approved in 2023, PENBRAYA combines the components from two meningococcal vaccines, Trumenba (meningococcal group B vaccine) and Nimenrix (meningococcal groups A, C, W-135, and Y conjugate vaccine) to help protect against the five most common meningococcal serogroups. It's administered in two doses six months apart and is approved for those aged 10-25 years old. The MCV4, MPSV4, and MenB vaccines are about 85-90% effective in preventing meningococcal disease.
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MenACWY vaccines are recommended for preteens and teens
Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious illness that causes meningitis and bloodstream infections. It can be deadly, but vaccines can help prevent it. The meningococcal conjugate vaccine or MCV4 was first approved in 2005 and has been routinely recommended for preteens and teens since then.
There are several types of meningococcal vaccines available in the United States, including the MenACWY vaccine, which is specifically recommended for preteens and teens. This vaccine helps protect against four types of meningococcal bacteria: serogroups A, C, W, and Y. The CDC recommends that all 11- to 12-year-old adolescents receive the MenACWY vaccine, with a booster dose at age 16. This booster is important as protection from the vaccine decreases over time, and the booster provides additional protection during the ages when teens are at the highest risk of contracting meningococcal disease.
The MenACWY vaccine is safe and effective, and most people do not experience any problems with it. However, as with any vaccine or medication, there is a small chance of mild side effects, which typically go away within a few days. If any problems do occur after the MenACWY vaccination, they usually last for about 1 to 2 days.
In addition to the MenACWY vaccine, teens may also choose to get the MenB vaccine, which protects against serogroup B meningococcal disease. This vaccine is recommended for those with certain risk factors and is preferably given between the ages of 16 and 18.
Overall, the MenACWY vaccine is an important tool in preventing meningococcal disease, especially for preteens and teens who are at an increased risk of contracting the illness.
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MenB vaccines are important for those at risk of serogroup B meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious illness that causes meningitis and bloodstream infections. It can be deadly, but vaccines can help prevent it. The meningococcal vaccine is the best way to protect against meningococcal disease.
There are three types of meningococcal vaccines available in the United States, which vary by the number of serogroups they can protect against. Two recombinant protein vaccines can protect against serogroup B. MenB vaccines are important for those at risk of serogroup B meningococcal disease as they provide protection against this form of the disease. Since 2015, two serogroup B vaccines have been approved to protect against serogroup B meningococcal disease: MenB-FHbp (Trumenba) and MenB-4C (Bexsero). Both vaccines have proven effective in protecting those ages 10-25 but have also been found to be useful for older patients.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routinely administering Men B vaccines to individuals 10 years or older who are at increased risk of serogroup B meningococcal disease. This includes individuals with complement component deficiencies, anatomic or functional asplenia, microbiologists routinely exposed to isolates of Neisseria meningitidis, and those at increased risk due to a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak.
Available data on MenB vaccines suggest that protective antibodies decrease quickly (within 1 to 2 years) after vaccination. Therefore, MenB booster doses are important for those who remain at increased risk of serogroup B meningococcal disease. Booster doses are also recommended for individuals who were previously vaccinated but are part of a population at increased risk during an outbreak.
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Meningococcal vaccines are about 85-90% effective
Meningococcal disease is a serious illness that causes meningitis and bloodstream infections. It is not as contagious as a cold or the flu, but it is spread by contact with infected respiratory and throat secretions through coughing, kissing, sneezing, sharing drinks, eating utensils, or lip makeup. The key to preventing this disease is the meningococcal vaccine.
There are 6 meningococcal vaccines licensed and available in the United States, and they vary by the number of serogroups they can protect against. Two conjugate vaccines can protect against 4 serogroups: A, C, W, and Y. Two recombinant protein vaccines can protect against serogroup B. Two combination conjugate and recombinant protein vaccines can protect against 5 serogroups: A, B, C, W, and Y.
The first meningococcal vaccine, the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine or MPSV4, was approved in 1978. It is made with the antigens contained in the outer polysaccharide or sugar capsule that surrounds the bacterium. The meningococcal conjugate vaccine or MCV4 was approved in 2005 and uses antigens taken from the polysaccharide capsule and bound to a separate protein that targets the body's immune cells. This makes it easier for the body's immune system to recognise the antigens.
The MCV4, MPSV4 and MenB vaccines are about 85-90% effective in preventing meningococcal disease. However, because the vaccines do not protect against all causes of meningitis, it is still possible to contract meningitis even after receiving the vaccine. Available data suggest that protection from MenACWY vaccines decreases in many adolescents within 5 years, and protective antibodies from MenB vaccines decrease within 1 to 2 years. Therefore, booster doses are important for those who remain at increased risk of meningococcal disease.
The effectiveness of polysaccharide vaccines ranges from 65% to 83.7% across different age groups, while the effectiveness of conjugate vaccines ranges from 66% to 100%. The incidence decline of laboratory-confirmed meningococcal disease for the conjugate vaccine ranged from 77% to 100% among different age groups.
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Meningococcal vaccines are safe and proven to help fight the disease
Meningococcal disease is a serious illness that causes meningitis and bloodstream infections. It can be deadly, but vaccines can help prevent it. The disease is most common in babies, teens, and young adults, as well as those with weak immune systems, multiple sexual partners, or those over 65. The vaccines are recommended for all preteens, teens, and people at increased risk.
There are several types of meningococcal vaccines available in the United States, including conjugate vaccines that protect against serogroups A, C, W, and Y, and recombinant protein vaccines that protect against serogroup B. The CDC recommends that adolescents receive the MenACWY vaccine, which has led to a significant decline in the incidence of meningococcal disease caused by serogroups C, Y, and W. Available data suggest that protection from MenACWY vaccines may decrease within 5 years, highlighting the importance of booster doses.
The meningococcal vaccines are generally safe, and most people do not experience any problems. However, as with any medicine, there is a chance of side effects, which are typically mild and temporary. These may include redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site. In rare cases, more serious reactions may occur, such as an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). It is important to consult a healthcare provider to address any concerns and follow their instructions.
The vaccines are effective in preventing meningococcal disease, with an estimated effectiveness of 85-90%. They help the body build a defence against future infections by exposing it to parts of dead meningococcal bacteria. This allows the immune system to recognize and target the bacteria more easily. Overall, the meningococcal vaccines are a proven and safe method to protect against this dangerous disease, especially for those at higher risk.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the meningococcal vaccine does not carry a live virus. It contains killed or inactivated bacteria and cannot cause meningococcal disease.
The meningococcal vaccine helps protect against meningococcal disease, a serious illness that can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections.
The CDC recommends meningococcal vaccination for all preteens, teens, and other children and adults at increased risk.
The MCV4, MPSV4, and MenB vaccines are about 85-90% effective in preventing meningococcal disease.
Most people who get the meningococcal vaccine do not experience any problems. However, as with all vaccines, there is a chance of mild side effects such as soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site.
