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Vaccines against meningococcal serogroup B disease containing outer membrane vesicles (OMV): lessons from past

Johan Holst1, Philipp Oster, Richard Arnold

  • 1Division of Infectious Disease Control; Norwegian Institute of Public Health; Oslo, Norway.

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
|July 17, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Wild-type outer membrane vesicle (wtOMV) vaccines show moderate effectiveness against meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) disease. However, their limited strain coverage necessitates the development of next-generation MenB vaccines.

Area of Science:

  • Vaccinology
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Wild-type outer membrane vesicle (wtOMV) vaccines have been investigated for serogroup B (MenB) meningococcal disease since the 1970s.
  • Public health interventions in Cuba, Norway, and New Zealand have confirmed the efficacy of these protein-based vaccines in preventing MenB disease.
  • Approximately 60 million doses of three distinct wtOMV vaccine formulations have been administered, demonstrating a consistent profile of moderate reactogenicity and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the historical utility and effectiveness of wtOMV vaccines against MenB disease.
  • To analyze the insights gained from public health interventions, particularly in New Zealand, regarding vaccine safety, effectiveness, and public communication.
  • To inform the development of next-generation MenB vaccines with broader protective capabilities.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical studies and retrospective statistical analyses from New Zealand.
  • Examination of public health intervention data from Cuba, Norway, and New Zealand.
  • Analysis of safety and effectiveness data from approximately 60 million administered vaccine doses.

Main Results:

  • wtOMV vaccines demonstrate effectiveness of at least 70% in preventing MenB disease, as evidenced by New Zealand data.
  • Vaccines exhibit moderate reactogenicity and a favorable safety profile.
  • A significant limitation is the lack of broad protective activity against diverse global MenB strains.

Conclusions:

  • wtOMV vaccines have a proven track record in controlling MenB disease, with substantial real-world effectiveness.
  • The New Zealand MeNZB intervention provided valuable lessons in collaboration, surveillance, and public engagement.
  • Future MenB vaccine development should focus on overcoming the strain-specificity limitations of current wtOMV vaccines to achieve comprehensive protection.
Keywords:
Neisseria meningitidisNew Zealand MenB outbreakOMV vaccinescontrolling MenB epidemicsmeningococcal disease

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