Persistence of the immune response after 4CMenB vaccination, and the response to an additional booster dose in infants, children, adolescents, and young adults

ABSTRACT

The multicomponent meningococcal serogroup B vaccine, 4CMenB, has demonstrated effectiveness in preventing invasive MenB disease in infants and in controlling MenB outbreaks. The need for/timing of additional booster doses is not yet established. We reviewed eight studies that evaluated antibody persistence and booster following primary 4CMenB vaccination of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. Putative seroprotective hSBA titers for ≥1 vaccine antigen were maintained by 76–100% of children 24–36 months after priming during infancy and in 84–100% after priming in the second year of life. hSBA levels were higher in vaccinees at 4 and 7.5 years following priming during adolescence than in vaccine-naïve individuals of a similar age. Antibodies persisted at higher levels to NHBA and NadA than to PorA or fHbp. Booster vaccination induced robust anamnestic responses, demonstrating effective priming by 4CMenB across age-groups. These data can inform decision-making to optimize vaccination strategies.

KEYWORDS:

• Neisseria meningitidis
• antibody persistence
• immunogenicity
• 4CMenB
• meningococcal serogroup B

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Philip Watson for his critical input to the manuscript. Writing assistance was provided by Joanne Wolter (Independent medical writer on behalf of GSK) and editorial and coordination assistance was provided by Maria Ana de la Grandiere (Modis on behalf of GSK).

Author contributions

All authors reviewed and commented on critically drafts of the manuscript for important intellectual content and gave final approval to submit for publication. The corresponding author had final responsibility to submit for publication. Drafts were developed by a professional publication writer according to the recommendations, documentation, and outline provided by the lead author.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

FMT is a member of the European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (ETAGE) for World Health Organization, Europe. FMT received institutional fees/grants for the conduct of clinical trials from Ablynx, Janssen, the GSK group of companies, Regeneron, Medimmune, Pfizer, MSD, Roche, and Sanofi-Pasteur. TN is a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) SAGE committee. TN’s institution (MCRI) received grants for the conduct of clinical trials from the GSK group of companies and from Pfizer. AB and DT are employees of the GSK group of companies. DT holds shares in the GSK group of companies as part of her employee remuneration.

Trademarks

Bexsero is a trademark of the GSK group of companies. Trumenba is a trademark of Pfizer Inc.

Additional information

Funding

GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA funded all costs associated with the development and the publishing of the present manuscript.