[Meningococcus B: control of two outbreaks by vaccination]

Area of Science:

• * Reverse vaccinology approach to identify Meningococcus B (MenB) antigens.
• * Development of a novel 4-component MenB vaccine (4CMenB).

Context:

• * MenB outbreaks pose significant public health challenges, particularly in high-density populations like university campuses.
• * Previous limitations in effective MenB vaccines have been addressed by new antigen discovery methods.
• * 4CMenB vaccine approved in Europe, Australia, and Canada, and included in pediatric immunization schedules.

Purpose:

• * To describe the successful implementation and outcomes of using the 4CMenB vaccine during outbreaks at two American universities.
• * To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 4CMenB in a large-scale, non-pediatric population.

Summary:

• * Reverse vaccinology identified key MenB antigens, leading to the 4CMenB vaccine.
• * During US university outbreaks, 4CMenB was used under emergency protocols, achieving high vaccination coverage (>14,000 students immunized).
• * No adverse safety events were reported post-immunization, and no vaccinated individuals contracted MenB.

Impact:

• * Demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of 4CMenB in controlling MenB outbreaks in young adults.
• * The successful large-scale use prompted the FDA to consider extending 4CMenB vaccine approval to adolescents and young adults in the USA.
• * Highlights the potential of reverse vaccinology in rapid vaccine development and deployment during public health emergencies.