Meningococcal Disease

Meningococcal Disease

NYSDOH Meningococcal Vaccine Recommendations for HIV-Infected Individuals and Those at High Risk of HIV Infection

October 25, 2016 | Download the 10/25/16 NYS Health Advisory 

On June 22, 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend that persons aged ≥2 months with HIV infection should receive meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine, either MenACWY-D (Menactra®), MenACWY-CRM (Menveo®) or, as age-appropriate, Hib-MenCY-TT (MenHibrix®, recommended for ages 2-18 months).

This recommendation was made based on epidemiologic data demonstrating an increased risk of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) due to serogroups C, W, and Y among HIV-infected persons in the United States. HIV-infected individuals have suppressed immune responses to MenACWY vaccine, as well as waning of vaccine-induced immunity. For this reason, a multidose primary series and regular booster doses are necessary to maintain protection against IMD. HIV-infected persons have not been demonstrated to be at increased risk of serogroup B disease, and use of serogroup B (MenB) vaccine has not been studied in this group; for this reason MenB vaccine is not recommended for HIV-infected persons unless they have another indication for this vaccine.

In response to the ACIP recommendations, the NYSDOH advises healthcare providers to administer MenACWY vaccine to:

  • All HIV-infected children and adults aged 2 months or older, and
  • HIV-negative individuals at ongoing high risk for HIV infection, to include:
    • Men who have sex with men (MSM) who are candidates for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as described in the NYSDOH AIDS Institute “Guidance for the Use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis to Prevent HIV Transmission” and
    • Transgender individuals who are candidates for PrEP.

Read the full NYS Health Advisory, which includes additional information regarding dosing and vaccine cost reimbursement.

See also: CDC Recommendations for Use of Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccines in HIV-Infected Persons—Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2016.

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