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Menveo (Neisseria meningitidis oligosaccharide conjugate vaccine; GlaxoSmithKline) is recommended for routine immunization in adolescents and among those aged 2–54 years with certain immunosuppressive conditions to prevent invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135.
When preparing the vaccine, the liquid component is drawn into a syringe and used to reconstitute the lyophilized component. This solution is then administered via intramuscular injection.
A vaccination provider recently injected only the lyophilized component of Menveo, and then administered a properly prepared dose of Menveo to the same patient and inquired to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) whether this was safe. The CDC proceeded to search the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database for cases during March 1, 2010–September 22, 2015 where only one component of Menveo vaccine was administered. Moreover, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) analyzed the data further to identify uneven reporting of adverse events following Menveo immunization vs. other vaccines in VAERS.
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A total of 390 reports (407 total patients) were found where only one component of Menveo was administered. Of these patients, 269 (66%) of patients received only the liquid MenCYW-135 component, and 138 patients received only the lyophilized MenA component. reconstituted in sterile water, saline, a different liquid vaccine, or an unspecified diluent. Five reports described administration of only the MenCYW-135 component to 21 patients, and 1 report described administration of only the lyophilized MenA component to 2 recipients.
Of the total Menveo recipients, 85% (n=346) experienced no adverse advents.
The CDC recommends all vaccination providers to follow proper administration instructions included with Menveo. Vaccines should only be reconstituted with the specific diluent supplied by the manufacturer. Patients that receive an incorrectly prepared dose of Menveo should receive a repeat dose of properly prepared meningococcal conjugate vaccine, which can be administered at any time.
The CDC reports that similar administration errors have been reported for Pentacel vaccine that is also packaged as separate liquid and lyophilized components that requires combining prior to administration. Administration errors with Menveo and other similarly packaged vaccines can be avoided by following the supplied instructions.
For more information visit CDC.gov.
