Immunogenicity and safety of meningococcal vaccines, MenACWY-CRM and 4CMenB, in groups at increased risk for meningococcal disease.

Introduction: Individuals with immunocompromising conditions (e.g. asplenia, complement deficiency, HIV infection) or with high exposure to Neisseria meningitidis (e.g. laboratory workers, those in outbreak settings) have an increased risk of meningococcal disease. Immunization with meningococcal serogroups ACWY (MenACWY) and serogroup B (MenB) vaccines is recommended for high-risk groups in many countries, although definitions of high-risk vary. There are not yet clinical data for the pentavalent meningococcal serogroups ABCWY (MenABCWY) vaccines in high-risk populations.

Areas covered: This review examines studies conducted in high-risk groups with the component vaccines of GSK's MenABCWY vaccine, the 4-component MenB vaccine (4CMenB) and quadrivalent MenACWY CRM₁₉₇-glycoconjugate vaccine (MenACWY-CRM). These component vaccines have been licensed for more than 10 years and are recommended in groups categorized as high risk.

Expert opinion: The component vaccines of GSK's MenABCWY vaccine, 4CMenB and MenACWY-CRM, have demonstrated immunogenicity and safety in high-risk groups, including with concomitant or sequential vaccine administration. As expected, immunogenicity was reduced in patients with complement deficiencies, particularly those receiving eculizumab. Further data are required on meningococcal vaccination in high-risk groups for the future refinement of national and regional recommendations and to support proactive approaches to improve vaccine uptake in high-risk groups.