Clinical Updates
22 April, 2010
Conjugated quadrivalent meningococcal meningitis vaccine launched in United Kingdom
Meningococcal meningitis vaccine (groups A,C,W135,Y) is recommended for some individuals who are travelling or going to reside in areas where there is a risk of acquiring meningococcal infection [1]. These risk areas and recommendations can be found on the NaTHNaC Country Information Pages.
On March 31, 2010, a conjugated quadrivalent (A, C, W135,Y) meningococcal meningitis vaccine, Menveo®, was launched in the United Kingdom [2]. Manufactured and distributed by Novartis UK, Menveo® has been approved for use in Europe [3] for immunization of adolescents (from 11 years of age) and adults at risk of exposure to Neisseria meningitidis (A, C, W135, Y).
This conjugated vaccine is available in addition to the existing quadrivalent unconjugated polysaccharide vaccine, ACWY Vax®. Recommendations for the preferred vaccine to use in different traveller age groups are as follows [4]:
| Age (years) | Vaccine |
| 1 - 4 | Menveo®* |
| 5 – 10 | Either Menveo®* or ACWY Vax® |
| ≥11 | Either Menveo® or ACWY Vax® |
* unlicensed in these age groups
Full discussion of meningococcal vaccination including that of infants under one year of age will be available in a revision to the ‘Green Book’ chapter later this summer. It is expected that the conjugate vaccine will be more immunogenic in young children and will have a longer duration of protection in all age groups compared with the unconjugated vaccine [4]. Use of the conjugated vaccine under the age of 11 is unlicensed.
Queries regarding Menveo® should be directed to: Novartis Vaccines; +44 (0)8457 451 500
References
1. Meningococcal. Ch 22. In: Salisbury D, Ramsay M, Noakes K (eds). Immunisation against infectious disease 2006. The Stationary Office, London. Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets
/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_108821.pdf
2. Novartis Vaccines. Summary of Product Characteristics. Menveo®. [Accessed 22 April 2010]. Available at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/EMC/medicine/22866/SPC/Menveo
+Group+A%2c+C%2c+W135+and+Y+conjugate+vaccine/
3. Novartis. Media release 18 March 2010. Novartis receives approval in the European Union for Menveo®, first quadrivalent conjugate vaccine in the EU to help prevent meningococcal disease. [Accessed 22 April, 2010]. Available at: http://www.novartis.com/newsroom/media-releases/en/2010/1395085.shtml
4. Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisations. Minute of the meeting
held on 14 October 2009. [Accessed 22 April 2010]. Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/ab/JCVI/DH_113328#_1
Links
GlaxoSmithKline UK. ACWY VAX. Summary of Product Characteristics
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