Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W polysaccharide conjugate

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W polysaccharide conjugate is a vaccine immunogen consisting of the capsular polysaccharide from serogroup W of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria linked (conjugated) to a carrier protein, such as diphtheria toxoid (CRM197) or tetanus toxoid. This conjugation improves immunogenicity, especially in infants and young children, by eliciting a robust T-cell dependent antibody response. The conjugate is used as a component of quadrivalent or pentavalent meningococcal vaccines (e.g., MenACWY, MenABCWY) that protect against invasive disease caused by major meningococcal serogroups. The World Health Organization and national immunization programs incorporate these vaccines in routine schedules to control meningococcal outbreaks and reduce disease burden globally.

Other names

N. meningitidis serogroup W polysaccharide-protein conjugateMenW polysaccharide conjugateQuadrivalent meningococcal conjugate (A, C, W, Y) component (when part of combo vaccines)

Induction of bactericidal antibodies via T-cell dependent immune response following uptake and presentation of the conjugate; antibodies prevent colonization/invasion and facilitate clearance of bacteria