Infants and children aged <2 years are strongly recommended to receive MenACWY vaccine
Infants and children aged <2 years are strongly recommended to receive MenACWY vaccine in a 1-, 2- or 3-dose schedule, depending on the vaccine brand and the child’s age when they start the vaccine course. See Table. Recommendations for immunisation of infants and children aged <2 years using meningococcal ACWY vaccines, by age and vaccine brand for more details.
Infants can receive their 1st dose of MenACWY vaccine as early as 6 weeks of age. Menveo is registered for use in people aged ≥2 months. However, infants can receive their 1st dose of either of these vaccines as early as 6 weeks of age.
There are 3 MenACWY vaccines: Menactra, Menveo and Nimenrix. In children <2 years of age, there is no preference for use of one vaccine brand over another when following the brand-specific dosing schedule.
For infants aged <6 months who are travelling to areas where meningococcal A disease is common and who are receiving Menveo, a 4-dose schedule (given as a 3+1 schedule) should be considered for optimal protection against serogroup A. Three primary doses should be given with an interval of 8 weeks between doses, followed by a 4th dose at 12 months age.
Medical conditions are specified in List. Specified medical conditions associated with increased risk of invasive meningococcal disease.
| Age at start of vaccine course | MenACWY vaccine brand | Dose requirements for healthy people (without any medical conditions associated with increased risk of invasive meningococcal disease) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 weeks to 5 months | Menveoa Nimenrix | 3 doses (8 weeks between 1st and 2nd doses; 3rd dose at 12 months of age) |
| 6–8 months | Menveo Nimenrix | 2 doses (2nd dose at 12 months of age or 8 weeks after 1st dose, whichever is later) |
| 9–11 months | Menveo Nimenrix Menactra | 2 doses (2nd dose at 12 months of age or 8 weeks after 1st dose, whichever is later) |
| 12–23 months | Menveo | 2 doses (8 weeks between doses) |
| Nimenrix | 1 dose | |
| Menactra | 2 doses (8 weeks between doses) | |
| a. For optimal protection against serogroup A, an extra primary dose (ie a 3+1 schedule) of Menveo should be considered for infants aged <6 months, if travelling to areas where meningococcal A disease is common | ||