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Meningococcal Vaccine
About Meningococcal Vaccine
The first meningococcal vaccine, a polysaccharide vaccine, was licensed in 1978. Conjugate vaccines were developed in the 1990s. Meningococcus Neisseria meningitidis causes bacterial meningitis and sepsis. The disease can kill within hours. Survivors may suffer brain damage, hearing loss, or amputations. Five serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y cause most disease. The meningococcal A conjugate vaccine MenAfriVac was developed specifically for the African meningitis belt, where serogroup A caused massive epidemics. MenAfriVac was introduced in 2010 and has virtually eliminated serogroup A meningitis in vaccinated countries. Serogroup B vaccines followed, including Bexsero, developed using reverse vaccinology, and Trumenba. Recommendations on who receives meningococcal vaccines are set by national health authorities and vary by country.
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