Routine vaccination with meningococcal vaccine for children aged 9 months to 10 years would likely be unnecessary, according to data presented during this week’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting.
The committee was tasked with reviewing information regarding use of MenACWY-D vaccine (Menactra, Sanofi-Pasteur) in children aged 9 to 23 months who are not at increased risk for disease.
Elizabeth C. Briere, MD, MPH, of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said routine vaccination for children aged 9 months to 10 years would likely be unnecessary due to low incidence of disease and the short-term immunogenicity of the vaccine. Children who are vaccinated before the age of 10 years should receive the recommended boosters between 11 and 12 years and 16 years of age.
Using data from four observational, controlled studies and one randomized trial — all unpublished — MenACWY-D was found to be safe, with only four serious adverse effects that may be correlated to MenACWY-D. The data suggest MenACWY-D offers an 82% to 100% efficacy rate, but the data also suggest waning antibodies, according to Briere.
In 2011, the FDA lowered the approval age range for use of MenACWY-CRM (Menveo, Novartis) to include patients aged 2 to 55 years. MenACWY-D is licensed for prevention of meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, Y and W-135 among patients aged 2 to 55 years; MenACWY-D also is licensed as a two-dose series for children aged 9 to 23 months.
Disclosure: Dr. Briere reports no relevant financial disclosures.