title: Multivalent meningococcal serogroup B vaccines: challenges in predicting protection and measuring effectiveness.
abstract: Vaccines targeting Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) have been attempted for 40 years. Monovalent outer membrane vesicle vaccines targeted at epidemic outbreaks have been successfully developed. Newer vaccines aim to induce antibodies to cross-reactive antigens, such as factor H binding protein (rLP2086) or a mix of outer membrane vesicle, factor H binding protein and other minor antigens (4CMenB). The true protective coverage among circulating MenB isolates afforded by these vaccines is unknown. Carefully conducted Phase IV post-implementation evaluations designed to measure specific effectiveness against major circulating MenB clonal lineages are needed to address the critical question of which antigens are linked to protection. Progress with whole-genome sequencing and bio-informatics may allow the composition of antigen mozaics based on two major outer membrane proteins: PorA and FetA.
authors.affiliation: Bacterial Vaccine Discovery & Early Development, Janssen, Zernikedreef 9; 2333 CK Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Poolman
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Richmond
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D038541:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B / Q000276:immunology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: C570015:4CMenB vaccine; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines
keywords: Neisseria meningitidis; immunogenicity; meningococcal antigen typing system; outer membrane vesicle vaccines; vaccine