Rapid surveillance for health events following a mass meningococcal B vaccine program in a university setting: A Canadian Immunization Research Network study.
An outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis serotype B infection occurred at a small residential university; public health announced an organizational vaccination program with the 4-component Meningococcal B (4CMenB) vaccine (Bexsero(TM), Novartis/GlaxoSmithKline Inc.) several days later. Since there were limited published data on reactogenicity of 4CMenB in persons over 17years of age, this study sought to conduct rapid surveillance of health events in vaccinees and controls using an online survey. Vaccine uptake was 84.7% for dose 1 (2967/3500) and 70% (2456/3500) for dose 2; the survey response rates were 33.0% (987/2967) and 18.7% (459/2456) in dose 1 and dose 1 recipients respectively, and 12% in unvaccinated individuals (63/533). Most students were 20-29years of age (vaccinees, 64.0%; controls, 74.0). A new health problem or worsening of an existing health problem was reported by 30.0% and 30.3% of vaccine recipients after doses 1 and 2 respectively; and by 15.9% of controls. These health problems interfered with the ability to perform normal activities in most vaccinees reporting these events (74.7% post dose 1; 62.6% post dose 2), and in 60% of controls. The health problems led to a health care provider visit (including emergency room) in 12.8% and 14.4% of vaccinees post doses 1 and 2, respectively and in 40% of controls. The most common reactions in vaccinees were injection site reactions (20.6% post dose 1, 16.1% post dose 20 and non-specific systemic complaints (22.6% post dose 1, 17.6% post dose 2). No hospitalizations were reported. An online surveillance program during an emergency meningococcal B vaccine program was successfully implemented, and detected higher rates of health events in vaccinees compared to controls, and high rates of both vaccinees and controls seeking medical attention. The types of adverse events reported by young adult vaccinees were consistent with those previously.
Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS), Canada. Electronic address: joanne.langley@dal.ca.
J M
JM
Langley
St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS, Canada.
D M
DM
MacDougall
Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS), Canada.
B A
BA
Halperin
Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada.
A
A
Swain
Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS), Canada.
S A
SA
Halperin
Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS), Canada.
K A
KA
Top
Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS), Canada.
S A
SA
McNeil
Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS), Canada.
D
D
MacKinnon-Cameron
Vaccine Evaluation Centre, B.C. Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
K
K
Marty
Institut National de Santé Publique du Quebec, Quebec, Canada.
G
G
De Serres
Institut National de Santé Publique du Quebec, Quebec, Canada.
E
E
Dubé
Vaccine Evaluation Centre, B.C. Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
J A
JA
Bettinger
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D038541:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
C570015:4CMenB vaccine; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines
Disease outbreaks; Neisseria meningitidis group B; Student health services