Generic Bexsero vaccine suspension for injection 0.5ml pre-filled syringes

IntroductionClinical trials are evaluating the efficacy of serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccines in preventing gonorrhoea. We assessed the global epidemiology of gonorrhoea and MenB invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) and reviewed national MenB-OMV vaccination policies to inform potential use of these vaccines.MethodsWe included country-specific epidemiologic data from 2015 through October 2025. Gonorrhoea prevalence data for general populations of women were extracted from published systematic reviews and case reports taken from well-established reporting systems. Country-specific MenB IMD incidence rates were drawn from published reviews and surveillance reports. National MenB-OMV immunization policies were obtained from published reviews and databases from the World Health Organization and vaccine manufacturers.ResultsForty-two countries had ≥1 gonorrhoea prevalence study. Mean prevalence was DiscussionEpidemiologic data were lacking in many countries; only a handful had a substantial burden of both gonorrhoea and MenB IMD. Low- and middle-income countries with high gonorrhoea prevalence typically reported no MenB IMD or lacked data, whereas high-income countries with higher MenB IMD incidence and MenB-OMV vaccine use had low gonorrhoea prevalence but high rates in subpopulations like MSM.ConclusionsIf trials confirm MenB-OMV vaccine cross-protection against gonorrhoea, global epidemiology can help identify settings and populations for potential vaccine use against gonococcal infection alone, or for both conditions. Improved data collection and cost-effectiveness analyses across both conditions can further inform decision-making.

Abstract licence: CC BY

4CMenB vaccine is authorized for protection against serogroup B invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). This study synthesized real-world evidence (RWE) data on effectiveness and impact of 4CMenB vaccine. A systematic search identified RWE on vaccine effectiveness (VE) and vaccine impact of 4CMenB in infants, children and adolescents. A meta-analysis was conducted of 4CMenB VE against serogroup B-IMD in infants and children. The primary meta-analysis used a random-effects model on data from five studies from five countries reporting VE in fully vaccinated infants and children, and estimated pooled VE at 79.7% (95% confidence interval 70.4, 86.1). In sensitivity analyzes, inclusion/exclusion of studies from the primary analysis did not materially change the results. Age-specific data in adolescents were summarized qualitatively. Data identified from Australia reported high effectiveness and impact in adolescents. This meta-analysis provides evidence of high 4CMenB VE against serogroup B-IMD in fully vaccinated infants and children across different geographic regions. Clinical trial registration: N/A.

Abstract licence: CC BY

BackgroundAcute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most prevalent childhood cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality before the age of 20. Although therapeutic advances have significantly improved survival, children and adolescents treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia remain vulnerable to infections, largely preventable by vaccination, due to humoral and cellular immune dysfunction induced by disease and treatment.Materials and methodsThis systematic review, based on electronic databases, aims to evaluate antibody levels associated with potential protective immunity against vaccine antigens for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, mumps, rubella, influenza, varicella-zoster virus, yellow fever, pneumococcal, and meningococcal diseases in children and adolescents treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia after completion of chemotherapy.ResultsA total of twenty-four studies published between 1981 and 2023 were included, comprising 1110 children and adolescents. Protective antibody levels ranged from 11% to 97% for diphtheria, 0% to 90% for pertussis, 20% to 100% for tetanus, and 11% to 95% for poliomyelitis. Haemophilus influenzae type b, protection ranged from 16.7% to 100%. Viral vaccines also showed heterogeneous responses, with protection rates of 25-79% for mumps, 16-86% for measles, 35-98% for rubella, and 23-75% for varicella-zoster virus. Antibody responses to pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines were consistently low, with protection rates of 5-38% for pneumococcal studies and 12% in a single meningococcal study.ConclusionsThis review found a consistent and clinically relevant loss of vaccine-induced immunity in children and adolescents treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The recommendation of vaccine booster doses for this vulnerable population, irrespective of serological status, may represent a more practical approach to ensuring adequate post-chemotherapy treatment protection.

Abstract licence: CC BY

BackgroundImmunization is very important in public health because it reduces the spread of infectious diseases. It has been an essential part of health care programs as it prevents and controls a wide range of vaccine-preventable diseases worldwide.ObjectivesThe main objective of this Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) is to provide evidence-based recommendations on immunization for the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases among apparently healthy adults and those with high-risk conditions.MethodsWe followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to CPG development recommended in the Department of Health Manual, including GRADE Adolopment and the GRADE Evidence-to-Decision or EtD frame-work. This CPG contains the systematic synthesis of scientific evidence on immunization for Cholera, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Hepatitis A, Herpes Zoster, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Influenza, Japanese Encephalitis, Measles, Meningococcal, Mpox, Pneumococcal, Rabies, Tetanus, Typhoid, and Varicella in the adult population.ResultsThe CPG provides forty-one (41) recommendations on prioritized questions regarding fifteen (15) vaccines.ConclusionsThe systematic review of evidence was used to assess each vaccine's efficacy, safety, and costeffectiveness. These recommendations can be used by relevant stakeholders, particularly in the public health units, those in primary care practice and the administrative sectors involved in implementing vaccination programs.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a significant but under-recognized public health challenge in India, marked by rapid progression, high mortality, and severe sequelae. This consensus document, developed from literature review, outbreak analyses, and deliberations by 14 Indian experts, highlights outbreaks from 1966 (Delhi: 616 cases, case fatality ration: CFR 20.9%) to 2022-2023 (Kolkata). Serogroup A remains predominant, with emerging serogroups C, W, and Y. Systematic review evidence shows 12.1% prevalence in epidemics (CFR 12.8%) and 0.76% in endemic settings (CFR 3.0%), though true burden is underestimated due to weak surveillance. IMD shows bimodal age distribution, highest in children < 5 y (61.8%) and adolescents. MenACWY conjugate vaccines show 95.7-99.5% seroprotection across serogroups. Experts recommend vaccination at 9-12 months with booster at 10-11 y, mandatory reporting, sentinel surveillance, and clinician awareness. The roadmap stresses awareness, short-term surveillance, and long-term data generation toward National Immunization Program inclusion.

Abstract licence: Public domain

IntroductionGonorrhoea is a major global sexually transmitted infection, with rising incidence and increasing antimicrobial resistance threatening current control strategies. If untreated, Neisseria gonorrhoeae can lead to severe reproductive health sequelae. Gonorrhoea is also linked to increased HIV acquisition and transmission. There is currently no vaccine licensed to prevent gonorrhoea. However, observational evidence suggests that outer membrane vesicle-based serogroup B meningococcal vaccines, including the four-component meningococcal B (4CMenB) vaccine, confer partial cross-protection against gonorrhoea. We discuss observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focused on defining the efficacy of 4CMenB against gonorrhoea.DiscussionObservational studies from multiple settings have reported an association between receipt of 4CMenB vaccine and reduced gonorrhoea risk, with a meta-analysis estimating a 38% reduction in risk. Neisseria meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae are closely related bacteria that share numerous antigens, making cross-protection biologically plausible. Based on observational data, 4CMenB immunization programmes have been implemented in two countries with the aim of preventing gonorrhoea. However, three RCTs have recently shown that 4CMenB is not effective in preventing gonorrhoea in gay, bisexual and other men at high risk of acquisition. Several RCTs are ongoing, looking at efficacy in different populations, including women and people at lower risk of acquisition. The different outcomes between the observational studies and RCTs may be due to a range of known and unknown confounding factors, and differences in the populations considered in the different studies.ConclusionsCurrent evidence from RCTs does not support the use of 4CMenB to prevent gonorrhoea in gay and bisexual men at high risk of acquisition. Results from ongoing RCTs will be critical to determine whether vaccine efficacy varies by population or epidemiological context and to inform future gonorrhoea vaccine policy and development.

Abstract licence: CC BY