Does a patient who has received the Meningococcal (Meningococcal) Conjugate (ACWY) Vaccine also require the Meningococcal (Meningococcal) serogroup B vaccine?

From the Guidelines

Patients who have received the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine still need the Meningococcal B vaccine because they protect against different strains of the bacteria. The Meningococcal ACWY vaccine covers serogroups A, C, W, and Y, while the Meningococcal B vaccine specifically targets serogroup B, which is responsible for approximately 30% of meningococcal disease cases in the United States 1. These vaccines are not interchangeable and both may be recommended depending on age, risk factors, and local disease prevalence. For adolescents and young adults (16-23 years), the Meningococcal B vaccine is often recommended, especially for college students living in dormitories, as stated in the 2020 recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States 1. Certain high-risk individuals, such as those with complement component deficiencies, asplenia, or laboratory workers routinely exposed to the bacteria, should receive both vaccines, according to the guidelines provided in the 2020 report 1. The timing between vaccines is not critical, and they can be administered during the same visit at different injection sites. Both vaccines are generally well-tolerated, with side effects typically limited to injection site reactions and mild systemic symptoms. It is essential to follow the recommended vaccination schedule and intervals for persons who are at risk during an outbreak, as outlined in the 2020 report 1. Additionally, the 2017 updated recommendations for use of MenB-FHbp serogroup B meningococcal vaccine also support the use of MenB vaccines among persons aged ≥10 years who are at increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease 1. Therefore, it is crucial to administer both Meningococcal ACWY and Meningococcal B vaccines to individuals who meet the recommended criteria to ensure optimal protection against meningococcal disease.

From the FDA Drug Label

The Lyophilized MenACWY Component contains N. meningitidis serogroups A, C, W, and Y oligosaccharides conjugated individually to Corynebacterium diphtheriae CRM197 protein The MenB Component contains recombinant N meningitidis proteins Neisseria adhesin A (NadA), Neisserial Heparin Binding Antigen (NHBA), and factor H binding protein (fHbp), and Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMV).

Meningococcal B Vaccine is Needed

• The Meningococcal ACWY vaccine does not provide protection against serogroup B.
• The MenB Component is necessary to provide protection against serogroup B.
• Patients who have received the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine may still need to receive the Meningococcal B vaccine to be fully protected against meningococcal disease 2.

From the Research

Meningococcal Vaccination Requirements

• If a patient has received the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine, they may still need to receive the Meningococcal B vaccine, depending on their individual risk factors and health status 3, 4.
• The Meningococcal ACWY vaccine provides protection against serogroups A, C, W, and Y, but it does not provide protection against serogroup B 4.
• The Meningococcal B vaccine is recommended for individuals at increased risk of meningococcal disease, such as those with certain medical conditions or those who are immunosuppressed 4.

Vaccine Effectiveness and Safety

• Studies have shown that the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is effective in preventing meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y, but it may not provide long-term protection against these serogroups 4.
• The Meningococcal B vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B, and it has a favorable safety profile 3, 5.
• The combination of the Meningococcal ACWY and Meningococcal B vaccines may provide comprehensive protection against all five meningococcal serogroups that cause most invasive disease cases 3.

Special Considerations

• Individuals who have received the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine may still be at risk of meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B, especially if they have certain medical conditions or are immunosuppressed 4.
• The Meningococcal B vaccine may be recommended for these individuals, even if they have previously received the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine 4.
• Healthcare providers should consider the individual risk factors and health status of each patient when determining the need for Meningococcal B vaccination 3, 4.