Physicians now have another meningococcal vaccine option, with the approval of Menveo (meningococcal [groups A, C, Y, and W-135] oligosaccharide diphtheria CRM197 conjugate vaccine) for patients aged 11-55 years.
The vaccine is indicated for active immunization to prevent invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitides serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135.
The incidence of meningitis is estimated to range between 1,000 and 2,000 cases per year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meningococcal disease is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis and sepsis. Even with early treatment, the disease may be fatal.
Menveo, made by Novartis, will be supplied in packages containing five single-dose vials of the MenCYW-135 liquid conjugate component to be used to reconstitute five single-dose vials of the MenA lyophilized conjugate component.
Two meningococcal vaccines are already available in the United States. Those two vaccines are the polysaccharide vaccine MPSV4 (Menomune, Sanofi Pasteur) and the conjugate vaccine MCV4 (Menactra, Sanofi Pasteur).
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends routine immunization with a quadravalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine for all adolescents aged 11-18 years, college freshmen living in dormitories, and those aged 2-10 and 19-55 years who are in high-risk groups.