Meningococcal B, C vaccines together lead to adequate immune response

Coadministration of meningococcal serogroup B (4CMenB) and serogroup C (MenC CRM) vaccines in infants was noninferior to administration of MenC CRM alone against MenC, and it demonstrated adequate immune response to MenB, according to Marco Aurelio P. Safadi, MD, of Santa Casa de São Paulo (Brazil) School of Medical Sciences, and his associates.

Of 117 healthy infants who received 4CMenB concomitantly with MenC CRM and 111 who received MenC CRM alone, 99%-100% of infants had serum bactericidal antibody assay using human complement (hSBA) titres 1:8 or greater against MenC after the second vaccination of the primary series (3 months, 5 months, and 12 months of age), and 100% of infants reached these titres after the booster vaccination.

^{Courtesy CDC}

There were more local reactions, such as tenderness, with the combination MenB and MenC vaccinations than with the MenC vaccine alone, as well as systemic adverse reactions such as unusual crying and fever.

^{Steve Mann/Thinkstock}

Read more in the journal Vaccine (2017 Apr 11;35[16]:2052-9).