meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135)

**Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135)** is a tetravalent inactivated vaccine that protects against invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135. The vaccine contains purified capsular polysaccharides from each serogroup which act as antigens to elicit a targeted immune response, stimulating production of specific IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies. Some formulations are plain polysaccharide vaccines, while most currently marketed products are conjugate vaccines where the polysaccharides are chemically linked to carrier proteins (such as diphtheria or tetanus toxoid, or CRM197) to induce a stronger and longer-lasting T-cell dependent immune response. The principal mechanism of action is prevention of invasive meningococcal infection through induction of serum bactericidal antibodies against the capsule polysaccharides of A, C, Y, and W-135. It is indicated for active immunization in infants, children, adolescents, and adults, and is particularly recommended for populations at increased risk, such as travelers, military recruits, and residents of areas with high disease prevalence[1][2][4][5].

Brand names

MenactraMenveoMenQuadfiNmVac4-A/C/Y/W-135Men-C-ACYW-135Men-C-ACYW135Men-C-ACYW 135

Other names

meningococcal (groups A, C, Y and W-135) polysaccharide vaccinemeningococcal (groups A, C, Y and W-135) polysaccharide diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccinemeningococcal (groups A, C, Y and W-135) polysaccharide tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccinemeningococcal (groups A, C, Y and W-135) oligosaccharide diphtheria CRM197 conjugate vaccineMenACWYMenACYW