ATAGI has recommended Bexsero (meningococcal group B vaccine [rDNA, component, adsorbed]) for all young Australians, with an emphasis on infants and children under two years of age and adolescents 15-19 years of age. Currently, inclusion in the National Immunisation Program is under consideration.
Novartis has already received recommendations for Bexsero in Italy, Germany, Poland and Czech Republic. These recommendations highlight support for inclusion of Bexsero on routine childhood immunization schedules to help protect against meningitis B.
In Italy, the Board of Calendario per la Vita has recommended Bexsero vaccination for all infants with three doses in the first year of life and one dose at 13 months of age.
The German Academy of Child and Adolescent Medicine has recommended Bexsero vaccination. More than 35 statutory sickness funds (semi-public health insurance providers) have chosen to voluntarily reimburse Bexsero for all children (ages two months to 18 years).
Poland has a clinical recommendation for routine vaccination with Bexsero for infants, children and adolescents (starting at two months of age).
The Czech Vaccinology Society has recommended the meningitis B vaccine for infants, toddlers and children (ages two months to 10 years), adolescents (ages 13-15 years) and other high-risk individuals.
Novartis Vaccines division head Andrin Oswald noted for a vaccine-preventable disease, every child lost or disabled is one too many.
"These regional milestones are a testament to the public health benefits of Bexsero and we are hopeful that governments around the world will continue to act with a sense of urgency to help protect those most vulnerable from the devastation of meningitis B," Oswald added.
According to Novartis, Bexsero is the only licensed broad coverage vaccine approved in the EU, Canada and Australia to help protect against meningitis B. Bexsero has been available privately since 2013 with more than 500,000 doses shipped to date.