Pediatr. praxi. 2011;12(4):247-250

Advances in meningococcal vaccination

MUDr.Pavla Křížová, CSc.

Národní referenční laboratoř pro meningokokové nákazy, Státní zdravotní ústav, Praha

In September 2010, a tetravalent meningococcal A, C, Y, W135 conjugated vaccine became available in the Czech Republic which had been

registered in Europe in April 2010 for use in children aged 11 years and older. In late 2010, the registration of this vaccine was expanded

in the United States for use in children aged two years and older and this expansion is expected in Europe in the second half of 2011.

Given that, in the Czech Republic, serogroup Y causes invasive meningococcal disease with a high lethality rate particularly in adolescent

boys, the inclusion of the Y component in the vaccine is very appropriate for the Czech Republic. The A, C and W135 components are

suitable for those travelling abroad. Current recommendations of the National Reference Laboratory: to perform primary vaccination

at child age (2–6 years old) and to carry out revaccination with the tetravalent meningococcal A, C, Y, W135 conjugated vaccine in preadolescent

age (11–14 years old) in order to obtain a robust and long-term antimeningococcal immunity.

Keywords: invasive meningococcal disease, meningococcal vaccine, vaccination strategy

Published: September 2, 2011  Show citation