Immunogenicity and safety of a strain-specific MenB OMV vaccine delivered to under 5-year olds in New Zealand.
To control the devastating group B meningococcal epidemic in New Zealand a strain-specific OMV vaccine (MeNZB) was extensively tested before vaccination of >1,000,000 people under 20 years. After the three-dose course 75% of 6-8-month-old infants and 16-24-month-old toddlers showed four-fold increases in bactericidal antibodies. In 6-10-week-old infants a fourth dose was needed to obtain similar results. After primary vaccination, the antibody titre decline was most pronounced among the youngest but both young infants and toddlers showed a clear booster response to a fourth dose. MeNZB was safe and well tolerated. The comprehensive post-licensure safety surveillance revealed no safety concerns.
Oster
P
P
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics S.r.l., Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy. philipp.oster@novartis.com
O'Hallahan
J
J
Aaberge
I
I
Tilman
S
S
Ypma
E
E
Martin
D
D
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D038541:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B / Q000276:immunology*; D009520:New Zealand; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D012449:Safety
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations