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MCV-4 vaccine comparable to MPSV-4 among US military personnel
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Vaccination with the conjugate MCV-4 and quadrivalent MPSV-4 may demonstrate similar incidence of meningococcal disease among U.S. military personnel, according to recent findings.
Researchers reviewed data from the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC)’s Laboratory-based Meningococcal Disease Surveillance Program. The NHRC identifies possible cases of meningococcal disease through diagnostic codes or by reports from laboratories that have identified Neisseria meningitidis infection in active-duty military personnel. Cases are defined as confirmed if the patient demonstrates the clinical syndrome accompanied by a laboratory identification of N. meningitidis determined by PCR or culture.
The researchers compared the incidence of meningococcal disease among military personnel who were vaccinated with MPSV-4 vaccine with that of personnel who received MCV-4 starting with new recruits in 2006. The percentage of military personnel who received MCV-4 vs. MPSV-4 increased from 6% (n = 63,000) in 2006 to 64% (n = 930,000) in 2013. By 2013, 99% of new vaccinations were MCV-4.
The investigators found that among personnel receiving MCV-4 during 2006-2013, the overall incidence was 0.298 cases per 100,000 person-years vs. 0.41 cases per 100,000 person-years seen in MPSV-4 recipients during 2000-2013 (P > .05). Because neither of the vaccines covered serogroup B, the researchers excluded them in calculating vaccine-related incidence.
In MCV4-vaccinated personnel during 2006-2013, the incidence was 0.183. MPSV-4-related incidence during 2000-2013 was calculated at 0.307, which was not different from the incidence in non-serogroup B cases (P > .05).
Serogroup B was responsible for five of the eight cases diagnosed between 2012 and September 2014, the researchers wrote, making prevention of disease caused by this serotype a priority.
“Our data suggest that cases in MCV-4–vaccinated personnel are similar to those in MPSV-4–vaccinated personnel, regardless of whether the incidence calculation includes cases caused by serogroup B,” the researchers wrote. “More extensive study is needed to confirm the relative effects of the vaccine.” – by Jen Byrne
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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