Which Meningitis Vaccine Is Quadrivalent?
In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses which meningitis vaccines are quadrivalent.
I need a quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine for college. However, when I go to make my appointment, the choices are between a Meningitis vaccine and a Group B Meningitis vaccine. Which one of these options is also known as quadrivalent?
Jul 01, 2023- Quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines cover four serogroups (A, C, W, and Y) of the bacteria that causes meningitis. The two quadrivalent vaccines currently available in the United States are Menveo and MenQuadfi. The Group B meningitis vaccine only covers serogroup B and is not quadrivalent, so make sure you receive the correct vaccine for your needs.
Quick Answer
Quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines are vaccines that cover 4 different serogroups of the 'Neisseria meningitidis' bacteria: A, C, W, and Y.
There are several different meningitis vaccines that are 'quadrivalent', meaning they cover those four serotypes. They are:
- Menveo (MenACWY-CRM)
- MenQuadfi (MenACWY-TT)
- Menactra (MenACWY-D) This was discontinued in 2022
For your appointment, be sure that you are getting the quadrivalent vaccine, not just the Group B Meningitis.
The Group B vaccine only covers serogroup B, and is, therefore, not quadrivalent.
Detailed Answer
Meningococcal disease is an infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a type of gram-negative bacteria. This bacterium has 12 different serogroups. Serogroups A, B, C, W, X, and Y are the most common causes of meningococcal disease, which can lead to conditions such as meningitis and sepsis.
To protect against meningococcal disease, different vaccines have been developed.
The Meningococcal quadrivalent vaccines, of which there are 2 commercially available in the United States (Menveo (MenACWY-CRM), MenQuadfi (MenACWY-TT)), provide protection against four serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis: A, C, W, and Y. Again, these serogroups are responsible for the majority of meningococcal disease cases in the United States.
Both of the quadrivalent vaccines provide protection against the serogroups A, C, W, and Y.
Therefore when making your appointment for the Meningococcal (quadrivalent) vaccine for college, make sure you are getting either Menveo or MenQuadfi.
The three meningococcal quadrivalent vaccines can be used interchangeably. However, it is recommended to use the same vaccine for all doses in the vaccination series whenever possible.
You mentioned the meningitis group B vaccine in your question. This vaccine only covers serogroup B, so, again, it is not quadrivalent.
Whether or not someone should get the serogroup B vaccine depends on a few factors, so be sure to talk to your doctor about it.
For example, certain high-risk populations are recommended to get it. This includes people with persistent complement component deficiencies and individuals with anatomic or functional asplenia (such as sickle cell disease).
Some sources recommend the group B vaccine for those aged 16 to 23 years who are going to attend college, while other sources (e.g. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)) only encourage shared clinical decision-making due to the low incidence of serogroup B meningococcal disease in this age group in the United States.
Final Words
I hope you found this answer helpful!
Please be sure to reach back out if anything else comes up.
References & sources
- Meningococcal Vaccination: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2020 — CDC
- Adult Immunization Schedule by Medical Condition and Other Indication — CDC
- Ask the Experts: Meningococcal ACWY — Immunize.org
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Serogroups
- Different types or strains of bacteria that are classified based on their surface proteins.
- Neisseria meningitidis
- A bacterium that causes meningococcal disease, which can lead to meningitis and other serious infections.
- Quadrivalent
- A vaccine or medication that contains four different active components or covers four different types.
- Gram-negative bacteria
- A type of bacteria with a thin cell wall that appears pink when stained in laboratory tests.
- Meningococcal disease
- An infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria that can lead to serious conditions like meningitis.
- Meningitis
- An infection or inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Sepsis
- A life-threatening condition that occurs when an infection causes the body's response system to damage its own tissues.
- Asplenia
- The absence or loss of function of the spleen, an organ that helps fight infections.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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