First Use of a Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccine in the US in Response to a University Outbreak.
BACKGROUND
In 2013-2014, an outbreak of serogroup B meningococcal disease occurred among persons linked to a New Jersey university (University A). In the absence of a licensed serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccine in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration authorized use of an investigational MenB vaccine to control the outbreak. An investigation of the outbreak and response was undertaken to determine the population at risk and assess vaccination coverage.


METHODS
The epidemiologic investigation relied on compilation and review of case and population data, laboratory typing of meningococcal isolates, and unstructured interviews with university staff. Vaccination coverage data were collected during the vaccination campaign held under an expanded-access Investigational New Drug protocol.


RESULTS
Between March 25, 2013, and March 10, 2014, 9 cases of serogroup B meningococcal disease occurred in persons linked to University A. Laboratory typing results were identical for all 8 isolates available. Through May 14, 2014, 89.1% coverage with the 2-dose vaccination series was achieved in the target population. From the initiation of MenB vaccination through February 1, 2015, no additional cases of serogroup B meningococcal disease occurred in University A students. However, the ninth case occurred in March 2014 in an unvaccinated close contact of University A students.


CONCLUSIONS
No serogroup B meningococcal disease cases occurred in persons who received 1 or more doses of 4CMenB vaccine, suggesting 4CMenB may have protected vaccinated individuals from disease. However, the ninth case demonstrates that carriage of serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis among vaccinated persons was not eliminated.
Epidemic Intelligence Service Program, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, xdf4@cdc.gov.
Lucy A
LA
McNamara
Epidemic Intelligence Service Program, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey;
Alice M
AM
Shumate
Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey;
Peter
P
Johnsen
Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Jessica R
JR
MacNeil
Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Manisha
M
Patel
Regulatory Affairs, Office of the Director, and.
Tina
T
Bhavsar
Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Amanda C
AC
Cohn
New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey; Mercer County Division of Public Health, Trenton, New Jersey; and.
Jill
J
Dinitz-Sklar
Immunization Safety Office, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia;
Jonathan
J
Duffy
Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey;
Janet
J
Finnie
New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey;
Denise
D
Garon
Princeton Health Department, Princeton, New Jersey.
Robert
R
Hary
Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Fang
F
Hu
Epidemic Intelligence Service Program, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Hajime
H
Kamiya
Regulatory Affairs, Office of the Director, and.
Hye-Joo
HJ
Kim
Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey;
John
J
Kolligian
Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey;
Janet
J
Neglia
Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey;
Judith
J
Oakley
Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey;
Jacqueline
J
Wagner
Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey;
Kathy
K
Wagner
Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Xin
X
Wang
Regulatory Affairs, Office of the Director, and.
Yon
Y
Yu
New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey;
Barbara
B
Montana
New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey;
Christina
C
Tan
Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey;
Robin
R
Izzo
Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Thomas A
TA
Clark
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D038541:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines
epidemiology; meningococcal disease; university; vaccine