meningococcal polysaccharide group A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine

Meningococcal polysaccharide group A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccines are quadrivalent biologics indicated for active immunization to prevent invasive meningococcal disease caused by *Neisseria meningitidis* serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135. These vaccines consist of purified capsular polysaccharide antigens from each of the four serogroups, which are chemically linked (conjugated) to a carrier protein such as diphtheria CRM197, diphtheria toxoid, or tetanus toxoid. This conjugation process converts the T-cell independent polysaccharide antigens into T-cell dependent antigens, which significantly enhances immunogenicity, particularly in infants and young children, and induces long-term immunological memory. The vaccines work by inducing the production of bactericidal antibodies specific to the targeted polysaccharides, providing protection against severe manifestations of the disease, including meningitis and septicemia.

Brand names

MenveoMenactraMenQuadfiNimenrix

Other names

meningococcal group A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccineMenACWY vaccinequadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccineMCV4MCV-4MCV 4MenACYW