The new meningococcal conjugate vaccine. A profile of its safety, efficacy, and indications for use.
Meningococcal disease is a serious illness affecting all age-groups. Infants under 1 year of age, adolescents, and young adults are also especially susceptible. An effective quadrivalent meningococcal plain polysaccharide vaccine has been available for decades. However, inherent limitations of plain polysaccharide vaccines include limited duration of immunity, the potential for hyoporesponsiveness with repeated vaccinations, and ineffectiveness in children under age 2 years. The recently developed and licensed quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine should prove to provide important advantages over the plain polysaccharide vaccine. In this article, Dr. Pichichero discusses these advantages, current recommendations for administration, and prospects for broader vaccine coverage.
Pichichero
Michael E
ME
Department of Microbiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY 14642, USA. michael_pichichero@urmc.rochester.edu
D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000627:therapeutic use
D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate