Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2009 Oct;14(8):515-20.
doi: 10.1093/pch/14.8.515.

A new meningococcal conjugate vaccine: What should physicians know and do?

[Article in English, French]
R Bortolussi, M Salvadori

A new meningococcal conjugate vaccine: What should physicians know and do?

[Article in English, French]
R Bortolussi et al. Paediatr Child Health. 2009 Oct.

Abstract
in English, French

A quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine for serogroups A, C, Y and W135 (MCV4 [Menactra, sanofi pasteur, Canada]) was introduced in Canada in 2007 for persons two years of age or older. MCV4 adds three serogroups to the meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine, which has been used for several years. The rates of invasive meningococcal serogroup C infection have decreased over the past decade, attributable to the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine. However, the incidence of infection caused by serogroups A, B, Y and W135 have not changed substantially. MCV4 induces the production of protective antibodies to serogroups A, C, Y and W135 in adults and children older than two years of age. Serious adverse events from MCV4 are low. In view of the effectiveness of the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine for young infants and the historic high number of meningococcal serogroup C infections in Canada, physicians should encourage and promote publicly funded immunization programs for infants starting at two months of age. MCV4 should also be given to children aged two years who are at increased risk for meningococcal infection. MCV4 may also be considered for HIV-positive children two years of age or older. All adolescents should be offered a booster dose with MCV4 or a meningococcal C conjugate vaccine at approximately 12 years of age. Both vaccines are generally safe and well tolerated.

Un vaccin conjugué quadrivalent contre le méningocoque de séro-groupes A, C, Y et W135 (MCV4 [Menactra, sanofi pasteur, Canada]) a été lancé au Canada en 2007 pour les personnes de deux ans ou plus. Le MCV4 ajoute trois sérogroupes aux vaccins conjugués contre le méningocoque de sérogroupe C, utilisé depuis plusieurs années. Les taux de méningococcies invasives du sérogroupe C ont fléchi depuis dix ans grâce au vaccin conjugué contre le méningocoque de sérogroupe C. Cependant, l’incidence d’infection causée par les sérogroupes A, B, Y et W135 n’a pas tellement changé. Le vaccin MCV4 induit la production d’anticorps protecteurs contre les sérogroupes A, C, Y et W135 chez les adultes et les enfants de plus de deux ans. Les effets indésirables graves du vaccin MCV4 sont peu fréquents. Étant donné l’efficacité des vaccins conjugués contre le méningocoque de sérogroupe C administrés aux jeunes nourrissons et le nombre élevé de méningococcies du sérogroupe C au Canada par le passé, les médecins devraient favoriser et promouvoir les programmes de vaccination subventionnés par le gouvernement entrepris dès l’âge de deux mois. Le vaccin MCV4 devrait également être administré aux enfants de deux ans plus vulnérables à une méningococcie. On peut également envisager de l’administrer aux enfants positifs au VIH de deux ans ou plus. Il faut offrir une dose de rappel du vaccin MCV4 ou d’un vaccin conjugué contre le méningocoque de sérogroupe C à tous les adolescents vers l’âge de 12 ans. D’ordinaire, ces vaccins sont sécuritaires et bien tolérés.

Keywords: Canada; MCV4; Meningococcal infection; Meningococcal vaccine.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Public Health Agency of Canada, National Advisory Committee on Immunization Statement on conjugate meningococcal vaccine for serogroups A, C, Y and W135 Can Commun Dis Rep 200733(ACS-3):1–23.<http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/07vol33/acs-03/index_e.html> (Version current at August 19, 2009). - PubMed
    1. Public Health Agency of Canada, National Advisory Committee on Immunization Update on the invasive meningococcal disease and meningococcal vaccine conjugate recommendations Can Commun Dis Rep 200936(ACS-3):1–39.<http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/09vol35/acs-dcc-3/index-fr...> (Version current at August 19, 2009). - PubMed
    1. Canadian Paediatric Society, Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee [Principal author: S Halperin]. Meningococcal vaccine for children and adolescents Paediatr Child Health 200510405–6. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Canadian Paediatric Society, Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee [Principal author: R Bortolussi]. Therapy of suspected bacterial meningitis in Canadian children six weeks of age and older – summary Paediatr Child Health 200813309. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Public Health Agency of Canada Enhanced surveillance of invasive meningococcal disease in Canada: 1 January, 2004, through 31 December, 2005 Can Commun Dis Rep 2007331–15.<http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/07vol33/dr3310a-eng.php> (Version current at August 19, 2009). - PubMed