Meningococcal Vaccines

Pentavalent Meningitis Vaccine Reduces Africa's Meningitis Belt

Karen McClorey Hackett — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 17:02:05 +0000

Reviewer:

Meningitis is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, especially in the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa. Recurrent meningitis outbreaks across the meningitis belt have resulted in significant mortality over decades.

Sub-Saharan Africa historically experienced major epidemics of meningococcal disease every 5 to 12 years. Meningitis is a severe infection of the thin membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord that can cause severe brain damage and is fatal in up to 80% of cases if untreated.

The U.S. CDC reports that attack rates during epidemics in Africa can reach 1,000 cases per 100,000 population.

A recent paper examined the global burden of meningitis, 2.5 million cases, exploring its prevalence and impact across different regions.

This research further analyzed the evolution of meningitis vaccination strategies. Licensed vaccines against meningococcal disease have been available for more than 40 years. Over time, there have been significant improvements in strain coverage.

These researchers highlighted the recent development and introduction of the novel pentavalent Men5CV meningococcal conjugate vaccine.

The Men5CV vaccine has emerged as a remarkable advancement in the fight against meningitis. It is safe and effective against various serogroups, including the elusive serogroup X.

The vaccine results from a 13-year development collaboration between Serum Institute of India and PATH.

The Men5CV vaccine's pre-qualification by the World Health Organization (WHO) in July 2023 and subsequent recommendation for incorporation into routine immunization programs have opened a new era with the potential for meningitis eradication.

For example, Nigeria launched vaccinations in February 2024 and now sets a benchmark for other nations in the meningitis zone, becoming the first country in the world to roll out the new Men5CV vaccines.

Funding from organizations like Gavi highlights the importance of coordinated international efforts aligned with the WHO's roadmap for meningitis elimination by 2030.

Dr. Tokunbo Oshin, Director of High Impact Countries at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, commented in March 2024, "Thanks to vaccines, we have eliminated large and disruptive outbreaks of meningitis A in Africa: now we have a tool to respond to other meningococcal meningitis serogroups that still cause large outbreaks resulting in long-term disability and deaths."

The U.S. CDC says meningococcal vaccines are the best way to protect against meningococcal disease, but side effects can occur.

Three types of meningococcal vaccines are used in the U.S.: Meningococcal conjugate or MenACWY vaccines, Serogroup B meningococcal or MenB vaccines, and Pentavalent or MenABCWY vaccine.

These vaccines are offered at health clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.

The CDC recommends that travelers two months old or older get vaccinated before visiting areas part of the meningitis belt during the dry season when visiting countries such as Nigeria.

Sub Title:

Men5CV pentavalent meningitis vaccine is eliminating a leading cause of neurological disease and disability in Africa

References:

A perspective on the novel pentavalent Men5CV (NmCV-5) meningitis vaccine

Five things you need to know about the world’s latest weapon against bacterial meningitis

US CDC

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Tuesday, September 24, 2024 - 07:45

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US CDC 2024

Meningococcal Cases Linked to Recent Travel

Donald Hackett — Mon, 20 May 2024 16:24:12 +0000

Reviewer:

Robert Carlson, MD

Holly Lutmer PharmD

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify healthcare providers about cases of meningococcal disease associated with Umrah, which is conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Meningococcal disease, caused by Neisseria meningitidis, is a rare but severe illness with a 10–15% case-fatality rate.

Since April 2024, 12 cases of meningococcal disease linked to travel to KSA for Umrah have been reported to national public health agencies in the United States (5 cases), France (4 cases), and the United Kingdom (3 cases).

Ten cases were in patients who traveled to KSA, and two were in patients who had close contact with travelers to KSA. Ten cases were caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W (NmW), one U.S. case was caused by serogroup C, and the serogroup is unknown for one U.S. case.

The isolates from the one U.S. NmC case and two NmW cases (one U.S., one France) were resistant to ciprofloxacin; based on whole-genome sequencing, the remaining eight NmW isolates were all sensitive to penicillin and ciprofloxacin.

Nine of these patients were unvaccinated.

Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, KSA, that can be performed at any time of the year, while the Hajj is an annual pilgrimage that will take place from June 14 to 19, 2024.

Meningococcal disease outbreaks have occurred previously in conjunction with mass gatherings, including the Hajj pilgrimage.

The most recent global outbreak of meningococcal disease associated with travel to KSA for Hajj was in 2000–2001, primarily caused by NmW.

Since 2002, KSA has required all travelers aged one year or older performing Hajj or Umrah to provide vaccination documentation. KSA's requirement aligns with the CDC's recommendations for revaccinating U.S. travelers to endemic areas.

MenACWY conjugate vaccination is routinely recommended for travelers to countries where meningococcal disease is hyperendemic or epidemic, including a booster dose of MenACWY if the last dose was administered 3–5 or more years previously (depending on the age at the most recent dose received).

In the U.S., various meningococcal vaccines are offered at pharmacies and travel vaccine clinics.

The unedited HAN CDCHAN-00508 is posted at this CDC link.

Sub Title:

Health Advisory alert issued for meningococcal cases linked to Umrah travel

Reference:

CDC HAN - CDCHAN-00508

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Saturday, May 25, 2024 - 18:00

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from Pixabay

Florida’s Meningococcal Outbreak Causes Six Fatalities

Karen McClorey Hackett — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 02:08:21 +0000

Reviewer:

Robert Carlson, MD

Holly Lutmer PharmD

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today that a large, ongoing outbreak of serogroup C meningococcal disease had been confirmed in at least 24 cases, causing six related fatalities in Florida.

In response to this outbreak, the CDC is recommending gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men get a meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) if they live in Florida or talk with their healthcare provider about getting vaccinated if they are traveling to Florida.

Anyone can spread meningococcal bacteria to others by sharing respiratory and throat secretions. Generally, it takes close or lengthy contact, such as kissing or being near someone coughing, to spread these bacteria, says the CDC.

The Florida Department of Health and the CDC also emphasized on June 22, 2022, the importance of routine MenACWY vaccination for people with HIV.

“Getting vaccinated against meningococcal disease is the best way to prevent this serious illness, which can quickly become deadly,” said José R. Romero, M.D., Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, in a CDC press release.

“Because of the outbreak in Florida and the number of Pride events being held across the state in coming weeks, it’s important that gay and bisexual men who live in Florida get vaccinated with a MenACWY vaccine.”

In response to the serogroup B cluster in Florida, officials are recommending that college and university students in Leon County, FL, consider getting a MenB vaccine series.

People can find a meningococcal vaccine by contacting their doctor’s office, pharmacy, community health center, or local health department. 

Insurance providers should pay for meningococcal vaccination for those whom it is recommended for during an outbreak.

In Florida, anyone can get a MenACWY vaccine at no cost at any county health department during the outbreak.

Meningococcal symptoms can appear suddenly, including high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea/vomiting, or a dark purple rash. Symptoms can first appear as a flu-like illness but can worsen very quickly. 

Meningococcal disease can be deadly and includes infections of the lining of the brain, spinal cord (meningitis), and bloodstream.

‘Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best protection against meningococcal disease, says the CDC.

More information about the outbreak and vaccine is available at Meningococcal Disease in Florida, 2022 | CDC.  

PrecisionVaccinations publishes fact-checked, research-based vaccine news curated for mobile readership.

Sub Title:

CDC recommends the meningococcal vaccine MenACWY for various men in Florida

References:

CDC: Gay and bisexual men urged to get vaccinated if living in Florida, or talk with their healthcare provider about vaccination

Florida Department of Health Advises on Meningococcal Disease and Vaccines in Florida

Meningococcal Vaccines

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Thursday, June 30, 2022 - 20:15

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