A randomised, double-blind, controlled trial of the immunogenicity and tolerability of a meningococcal group C conjugate vaccine in young British infants.

Journal article

A double-blind, randomised, controlled trial was conducted in 248 British infants to assess the immunogenicity and tolerability of three doses of a meningococcal group C/CRM (197) conjugate vaccine (Lederle Laboratories, USA) given at 2, 3 and 4 months. Control children received three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix B(R); SmithKline Beecham). At 5 months of age, 100% of children receiving the conjugate vaccine had specific immunoglobulin G concentrations >2.0 microg/ml (n=116) compared with only 4% of control children (n=121). Those receiving the conjugate also had 2.5- and 1.6-fold higher geometric mean concentrations of PRP and diphtheria antibodies, respectively. The vaccine was well tolerated.

Authors: English, M; MacLennan, J; Bowen-Morris, J; Deeks, J; Boardman, M

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Vaccine
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 9-10
• Pages: 1232-1238
• Publication date: 2000-12-01
• DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(00)00241-3
• EISSN: 1873-2518
• ISSN: 0264-410X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Antibodies, Bacterial; Meningococcal Vaccines; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Neisseria meningitidis; Male; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Female; Vaccines, Conjugate; Infant; Double-Blind Method