The National Advisory Committee on Immunization is now recommending that a dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine be given in early adolescence, ideally around 12 years of age, even if the adolescent was previously vaccinated as part of a routine infant or toddler vaccination program. This adolescent dose is to ensure that circulating antibodies are present as adolescents enter the peak years for invasive meningococcal disease beyond infancy, which are between 15 and 24 years of age.

In Canada, the incidence of meningococcal disease varies, ranging between 200 and 250 cases per year. As many as one in 7 patients who contract meningococcal disease die from it. Approximately one in 5 meningococcal disease survivors suffer serious, permanent and devastating side effects, including limb amputations, seizures, paralysis, hearing loss and learning disabilities. Meningococcal disease is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis, which is an infection of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord, and sepsis, an often life-threatening bloodstream infection.

Approval of Menveo is the result of 10 years of dedicated effort by Novartis Vaccines to provide a vaccine that can help protect people against meningococcal disease. The Menveo development program for other age groups continues in multiple Phase III clinical trials.

Source: NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC.