Effectiveness of a Meningococcal Group B Vaccine (4CMenB) in Children

This nationwide matched case-control study evaluated the effectiveness of the four-component meningococcal group B vaccine (4CMenB) in children under 60 months of age in Spain. Among 306 lab-confirmed case patients and 1224 matched controls, vaccine effectiveness was 76% for complete vaccination (≥2 doses), 54% for partial vaccination, and 64% when combining both. Effectiveness against serogroup B alone was 71% for complete vaccination and 50% for partial. Notably, no cases occurred among vaccinated children infected with strains genetically predicted to be covered by 4CMenB. Vaccine protection also extended to non-serogroup B disease (92% for complete vaccination). The study underscores the broad impact of 4CMenB on invasive meningococcal disease and supports its consideration for inclusion in public immunization programs

This nationwide matched case-control study evaluated the effectiveness of the four-component meningococcal group B vaccine (4CMenB) in children under 60 months of age in Spain. Among 306 lab-confirmed case patients and 1224 matched controls, vaccine effectiveness was 76% for complete vaccination (≥2 doses), 54% for partial vaccination, and 64% when combining both. Effectiveness against serogroup B alone was 71% for complete vaccination and 50% for partial. Notably, no cases occurred among vaccinated children infected with strains genetically predicted to be covered by 4CMenB. Vaccine protection also extended to non-serogroup B disease (92% for complete vaccination). The study underscores the broad impact of 4CMenB on invasive meningococcal disease and supports its consideration for inclusion in public immunization programs