About Meningococcal Vaccines

There are 6 meningococcal vaccines licensed and available in the United States. Learn about the composition, types, immunogenicity, and effectiveness of these vaccines, and view package inserts below.

Types and Composition of Meningococcal Vaccines

There are 3 types of meningococcal vaccines available in the United States. These vaccines vary by the number of serogroups they can protect against.

  • Two conjugate vaccines can protect against 4 serogroups: A, C, W, and Y.
  • Two recombinant protein vaccines can protect against serogroup B.
  • Two combination conjugate and recombinant protein vaccines can protect against 5 serogroups: A, B, C, W, and Y.

Meningococcal Serogroups A, C, W, Y Vaccines (MenACWY)

  • MenQuadfi is formulated in 0.5-mL doses. Each dose contains 10 micrograms (µg) each of meningococcal A, C, W, and Y polysaccharides conjugated to approximately 55 µg of tetanus toxoid protein carrier. It does not contain a preservative or an adjuvant. The manufacturer supplies it as a liquid in a single-dose vial.
  • Menveo is available as a one- or two-vial presentation.
    • Menveo two-vial presentation consists of 2 components:
      • 10 µg of lyophilized meningococcal serogroup A (MenA) capsular polysaccharide conjugated to CRM197
      • 5 μg each of capsular polysaccharide of serogroup C, W, and Y (MenCWY) conjugated to CRM197 in 0.5 mL of phosphate buffered saline

      Vaccine providers reconstitute the lyophilized MenA component with the MenCWY liquid component before injection. It does not contain a preservative or an adjuvant. It is licensed for use in individuals ages 2 months through 55 years.

    • Menveo one-vial presentation
      • Contains the same active ingredients as the two-vial presentation
      • Does not have any adjuvants or preservatives
      • Does not require reconstitution before use
      • Is licensed for use in individuals ages 10 years through 55 years

Serogroup B Meningococcal or MenB Vaccines

  • Each 0.5-mL dose of Bexsero contains:
    • 50 µg each of recombinant proteins Neisserial adhesin A (NadA), Neisserial Heparin Binding Antigen (NHBA), and factor H binding protein (fHbp)
    • 25 µg of Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMV)
    • 1.5 milligrams (mg) aluminum hydroxide (0.519 mg of Al3+)
    • 3.125 mg sodium chloride
    • 0.776 mg histidine
    • 10 mg sucrose at pH 6.4 – 6.7
    • Less than 0.01 µg kanamycin (by calculation)
  • Each 0.5-mL dose of Trumenba contains:
    • 60 µg each of 2 lipidated fHbp variants (total of 120 µg of protein)
    • 0.018 mg of polysorbate 80
    • 0.25 mg of Al³+
    • 10 millimolar (mM) histidine buffered saline at pH 6.0

Meningococcal Serogroups A, B, C, W, Y  Vaccines (MenABCWY)

  • Each 0.5-mL dose of Penbraya contains 2 sterile components:
    • A lyophilized MenACWY component
    • A liquid MenB component (Trumenba)

    Vaccine providers reconstitute the lyophilized MenACWY component with the MenB component before injection.

    Each dose contains 5 µg each (20 µg total) of meningococcal A, C, W, and Y polysaccharides conjugated to 44 µg of tetanus toxoid, and 60 µg each (120 µg total) of 2 recombinant lipidated fHBP variants from meningococcal serogroup B. Each dose also contains:

      • 0.78 mg of L-histidine
      • 0.097 mg of trometamol
      • 28 mg of sucrose
      • 0.25 mg of aluminum phosphate
      • 4.65 mg of sodium chloride
      • 0.018 mg of polysorbate 80 at pH 6.0
  • Each 0.5-mL dose of Penmenvy contains 2 sterile components:
    • A lyophilized MenACWY component
    • A liquid MenB component

    Vaccine providers reconstitute the lyophilized MenACWY component with the MenB component before injection.

    After reconstitution, each dose contains 10 mcg MenA oligosaccharide; 5 mcg of each of MenC, MenW, and MenY oligosaccharides; 25.4 to 65.8 mcg CRM197 protein; 50 mcg each of recombinant proteins NadA, NHBA, and fHbp; and 25 mcg of OMV. Each dose also contains

    • 1.5 mg aluminum hydroxide (0.5 mg of Al3+)
    • 3.125 mg sodium chloride
    • 0.776 mg histidine
    • 22.5 mg sucrose
    • ≤0.7 mg potassium phosphate salts
    • less than 0.01 mcg kanamycin (by calculation)
    • not more than 0.30 mcg residual formaldehyde (estimated)

Immunogenicity and Vaccine Effectiveness

Incidence of meningococcal disease has declined in the United States since the 1990s and remains low today. However, U.S. cases of meningococcal disease have increased sharply since 2021 and now exceed pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, 503  confirmed and probable cases were reported based on preliminary data. This is the largest number of U.S. meningococcal disease cases reported since 2013.

CDC first recommended adolescents get a MenACWY vaccine in 2005. Since then, the incidence of meningococcal disease in adolescents caused by serogroups C, Y, and W decreased by over 90% (note: serogroup A meningococcal disease continues to be very rare in the United States).

As part of the licensure process, both MenACWY and MenB vaccines demonstrated that they produce an immune response. This immune response suggests the vaccines are protective (summarized from package inserts below), but effectiveness data are limited.

Available data suggest that protection from MenACWY vaccines decreases in many adolescents within 5 years. Getting the 16-year-old MenACWY booster dose is critical to maintaining protection when adolescents are most at risk for meningococcal disease. Available data on MenB vaccines suggest that protective antibodies also decrease quickly (within 1 to 2 years) after vaccination. MenB booster doses are important for those who remain at increased risk of serogroup B meningococcal disease.

Package Inserts

Consult the following package inserts for proper storage and handing details, shelf life, and reconstitution instructions:

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