From the Guidelines
Menveo is the preferred meningococcal conjugate vaccine for infants under 9 months of age, given its FDA approval for use starting at 2 months of age and its recommended four-dose series at 2,4,6, and 12 months, as outlined in the 2020 recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States 1. The key differences between Menactra and Menveo lie in their approval ages and dosing schedules for infants. Menveo can be administered to infants as young as 2 months, with a specific dosing schedule, whereas Menactra is approved for children 9 months and older, with a different dosing regimen.
- For infants who require meningococcal protection, the choice between Menactra and Menveo should be based on the infant's age, with Menveo being the appropriate option for those under 9 months.
- The conjugate proteins used in the vaccines also differ, with Menveo using CRM197 and Menactra using diphtheria toxoid, which may affect immunogenicity, as suggested by some studies 1.
- Both vaccines have similar safety profiles, with mild side effects such as injection site reactions and irritability, as reported in the 2020 recommendations 1.
- The primary consideration for choosing between Menactra and Menveo in infants should be the age of the infant and the specific recommendations for meningococcal vaccination in that age group, as outlined in the most recent guidelines 1.
From the Research
Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccines
- Menactra (MenACWY-D) and Menveo (MenACWY-CRM) are two quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines licensed for use in the US 2, 3.
- These vaccines protect against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y.
Vaccine Administration in Infants
- Menactra is licensed as a 2-dose series for infants and toddlers aged 9 through 23 months 2.
- Menveo is licensed for persons aged 2 through 55 years as a single dose, but can be used in infants aged 9 months and older in certain situations 2.
- There is limited information on the use of Menactra and Menveo in infants under 9 months of age, but other meningococcal conjugate vaccines, such as Hib-MenCY-TT, are licensed for use in infants as young as 6 weeks 2.
Immunogenicity and Safety
- Studies have shown that meningococcal conjugate vaccines, including MenACWY-TT, are immunogenic and well-tolerated in infants when co-administered with routine pediatric vaccines 4.
- However, the safety and immunogenicity of Menactra and Menveo in infants under 9 months of age are not well established, and more research is needed to determine their effectiveness in this age group 5.
Comparison of Menactra and Menveo
- Both Menactra and Menveo are quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines, but they use different carrier proteins (diphtheria toxoid and a mutant protein, respectively) 3.
- There is limited information on the comparative effectiveness of Menactra and Menveo in infants, but studies suggest that both vaccines are immunogenic and well-tolerated in older children and adults 3, 4.