The Menactra vaccine is the first and only quadrivalent conjugate vaccine licensed in the US for the prevention of meningococcal disease. Menactra vaccine offers protection against Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y and W-135, the four most common serogroups of the bacterium that cause meningococcal infection.
Michael Pichichero, professor of immunology, pediatrics and medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, said: “We have been waiting for this expansion of use of Menactra to younger children, since they too are at risk and may benefit from the vaccine. Meningococcal disease is serious and no healthy child should have to risk permanent disability, or even death, from this vaccine-preventable disease. About half of the cases in children two years through five years, and two-thirds in those six years through 11 years can potentially be prevented through vaccination in the US.”